Optical unit with image stabilization function

Abstract

To provide an optical unit with a shake correction function comprising a second intermediate member for swingably holding a first intermediate member with a first direction used as the axial direction of swing motion and a fixed body for swingably holding the second intermediate member, with a second direction used as the axial direction of swing motion, the optical unit with a shake correction function capable of reducing its size, while reliably suppressing a backlash of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction and a backlash of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction .SOLUTION: In an optical unit with a shake correction function, the distance D1 between an outside edge of one first spring part 5b for suppressing a backlash of a first intermediate member in a first direction and the optical axis L of a camera module is longer than the distance D2 between an outside edge of the other first spring part 5b and the optical axis L, and the distance D3 between an outside edge of one second spring part 5c for suppressing a backlash of a second intermediate member 5 in a second direction and the optical axis L is longer than the distance D4 between an outside edge of the other second spring part 5c and the optical axis L.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical unit with an image stabilization function mounted on a mobile device or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an optical unit with an image stabilization function mounted on a mobile device or the like is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The optical unit with an image stabilization function described in Patent Document 1 includes an optical unit main body housed in a cover. The optical unit main body includes an imaging module having a lens and an imaging element. In this optical unit with an image stabilization function, the imaging module is rotated around the optical axis of the lens, around a first axis orthogonal to the optical axis, and around a second axis orthogonal to both the optical axis and the first axis to perform image stabilization.

[0003] In the optical unit with an image stabilization function described in Patent Document 1, the optical unit main body includes a movable body having an imaging module, a rotation support mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body around the optical axis, a gimbal mechanism that rotatably supports the rotation support mechanism around the first axis and the second axis, and a fixed body that supports the movable body via the gimbal mechanism and the rotation support mechanism. The rotation support mechanism includes a plate roll fixed to the movable body, a plate holder having a facing portion facing the plate roll in the optical axis direction, and a rotation mechanism that enables the plate roll and the plate holder to rotate around the optical axis.

[0004] The gimbal mechanism includes a gimbal frame, a first connection mechanism that rotatably connects the gimbal frame and the plate holder around the first axis, and a second connection mechanism that rotatably connects the gimbal frame and the fixed body around the second axis. The gimbal frame is a metal leaf spring. The gimbal frame includes a gimbal frame main body, a pair of first-axis-side gimbal frame extension portions protruding from both sides of the gimbal frame main body in the first axis direction, and a pair of second-axis-side gimbal frame extension portions protruding from both sides of the gimbal frame main body in the second axis direction.

[0005] The first connection mechanism includes a first-axis-side shaft that protrudes from the gimbal frame along the first axis toward the plate holder side, and a first-axis-side concave curved surface provided on the plate holder and in which the tip of the first-axis-side shaft is rotatably in contact. The first-axis-side shaft is fixed to the first-axis-side gimbal frame extension part. The first-axis-side gimbal frame extension part biases the first-axis-side shaft toward the first-axis-side concave curved surface, and the tip of the first-axis-side shaft and the first-axis-side concave curved surface are in contact with a predetermined contact pressure. Therefore, in the first-axis direction, the rattling of the plate holder with respect to the gimbal frame is suppressed.

[0006] The second connection mechanism includes a second-axis-side shaft that protrudes from the fixed body along the second axis toward the gimbal frame side, and a second-axis-side concave curved surface provided on the gimbal frame and in which the tip of the second-axis-side shaft is in contact. The second-axis-side concave curved surface is formed in the second-axis-side gimbal frame extension part. The second-axis-side gimbal frame extension part biases the second-axis-side concave curved surface toward the second-axis-side shaft, and the tip of the second-axis-side shaft and the second-axis-side concave curved surface are in contact with a predetermined contact pressure. Therefore, in the second-axis direction, the rattling of the gimbal frame with respect to the fixed body is suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] In order to perform appropriate shake correction in the optical unit with a shake correction function described in Patent Document 1, it is preferable that the rattling of the plate holder with respect to the gimbal frame in the first axis direction and the rattling of the gimbal frame with respect to the fixed body in the second axis direction are surely suppressed. Further, since the optical unit with a shake correction function described in Patent Document 1 is mounted on a mobile device, it is preferably smaller in size.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical unit with a shake correction function including a first intermediate member that holds a moving body having a camera module, a second intermediate member that holds the first intermediate member so that the first intermediate member can rotate about a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module as an axial direction of rotation, and a fixed body that holds the second intermediate member so that the second intermediate member can rotate about a second direction that intersects the optical axis of the camera module and also intersects the first direction as an axial direction of rotation. The object is to provide an optical unit with a shake correction function that can suppress rattling of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction and rattling of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction while achieving miniaturization.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] To solve the above problems, the optical unit with a shake correction function of the present invention includes a movable body having a camera module, a first intermediate member that holds the movable body, a second intermediate member that rotatably holds the first intermediate member, and a fixed body that rotatably holds the second intermediate member. The first intermediate member is rotatable with respect to the second intermediate member with a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module as the axial direction of rotation. The second intermediate member is rotatable with respect to the fixed body with a second direction that intersects the optical axis of the camera module and also intersects the first direction as the axial direction of rotation. When the optical axis of the camera module is at a predetermined reference position, the second direction is orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module. The second intermediate member includes a pair of first spring portions having spring properties for suppressing play of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction, and a pair of second spring portions having spring properties for suppressing play of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction. When viewed from the optical axis direction, which is the direction of the optical axis of the camera module, one of the pair of first spring portions extends to the outer side in one direction of the first direction, and the other first spring portion extends to the in the extending direction opposite side the other outer side of the first direction which is of the one first spring portion. One of the pair of second spring portions extends to the outer side in one direction of the second direction, and the other second spring portion extends to the in the extending direction opposite side the other outer side of the second direction which is of the one second spring portion. When viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis of the camera module is at the reference position, the distance between the outer end of one of the first spring portions in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the other first spring portion in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module. The distance between the outer end of one of the second spring portions in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the other second spring portion in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module.

[0011] In the optical unit with a shake correction function of the present invention, the second intermediate member includes a pair of first spring portions having spring properties for suppressing rattling of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction, and a pair of second spring portions having spring properties for suppressing rattling of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction. Further, in the present invention, when viewed from the optical axis direction, which is the direction of the optical axis of the camera module, in a state where the optical axis of the camera module is at the reference position, the distance between the outer end in the first direction of one of the first spring portions extending to the outer side in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end in the first direction of the other first spring portion extending to the opposite side of one of the first spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module, and the distance between the outer end in the second direction of one of the second spring portions extending to the outer side in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end in the second direction of the other second spring portion extending to the opposite side of one of the second spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module.

[0012] Therefore, in the present invention, it becomes possible to suppress variations in the biasing forces of the pair of first spring portions by reducing the spring constant of one of the first spring portions, and it also becomes possible to suppress variations in the biasing forces of the pair of second spring portions by reducing the spring constant of one of the second spring portions. Thus, in the present invention, it becomes possible to reliably suppress rattling of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction by the pair of first spring portions, and it also becomes possible to reliably suppress rattling of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction by the pair of second spring portions.

[0013] Further, in the present invention, the distance between the outer end in the first direction of the other first spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module is shorter than the distance between the outer end in the first direction of one of the first spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module, and the distance between the outer end in the second direction of the other second spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module is shorter than the distance between the outer end in the second direction of one of the second spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module. Therefore, it becomes possible to miniaturize the optical unit with a shake correction function.

[0014] In the present invention, when viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis of the camera module in the reference position, the width of the other first spring portion is narrower than the width of one first spring portion, and the width of the other second spring portion is preferably narrower than the width of one second spring portion.

[0015] With such a configuration, it becomes possible to also reduce the spring constant of the other first spring portion and the spring constant of the other second spring portion. Therefore, it becomes possible to effectively suppress the variation in the biasing force of the pair of first spring portions and the variation in the biasing force of the pair of second spring portions. Accordingly, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress the rattling of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction and the rattling of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction. Further, with such a configuration, it becomes possible to align the spring constant of one first spring portion and the spring constant of the other first spring portion, and it also becomes possible to align the spring constant of one second spring portion and the spring constant of the other second spring portion. Therefore, it becomes possible to deform the pair of first spring portions in a well-balanced manner and it also becomes possible to deform the pair of second spring portions in a well-balanced manner.

[0016] In the present invention, the optical unit with an image stabilization function includes a first magnetic drive mechanism for rotating a movable body with respect to a fixed body about the optical axis of the camera module as a rotation center, and a second magnetic drive mechanism and a third magnetic drive mechanism for rotating the movable body with respect to the fixed body so that the optical axis of the camera module is inclined in an arbitrary direction. The first intermediate member holds the movable body so that the movable body can rotate about the optical axis of the camera module. The second magnetic drive mechanism includes a second drive magnet and a second drive coil that are arranged to face each other in a first optical axis orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module and inclined with respect to the first direction and the second direction when the optical axis of the camera module is in the reference position. The third magnetic drive mechanism includes a third drive magnet and a third drive coil that are arranged to face each other in a second optical axis orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module and the first optical axis orthogonal direction and inclined with respect to the first direction and the second direction when the optical axis of the camera module is in the reference position. The fixed body includes an intermediate member holding portion that rotatably holds the second intermediate member. When the optical axis of the camera module is in the reference position, the outer shape of the intermediate member holding portion as viewed from the optical axis direction is square or rectangular. Two of the four sides of the intermediate member holding portion whose outer shape is square or rectangular as viewed from the optical axis direction when the optical axis of the camera module is in the reference position are parallel to the second optical axis orthogonal direction. The first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged along one of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the second optical axis orthogonal direction. The third magnetic drive mechanism is arranged along one of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the first optical axis orthogonal direction. It is preferable that the distance between the outer end of one first spring portion extending in the first direction on the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the other first spring portion in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module, and the distance between the outer end of one second spring portion extending in the second direction on the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the other second spring portion in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module.

[0017] With such a configuration, since the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged along one of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the second optical axis orthogonal direction, and the third magnetic drive mechanism is arranged along one of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the first optical axis orthogonal direction, in a portable device or the like equipped with an optical unit with an image stabilization function, various components may be arranged so that magnetic interference does not occur in the regions along each of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion. Therefore, it becomes possible to suppress a decrease in the degree of freedom in the design of a portable device or the like equipped with an optical unit with an image stabilization function.

[0018] Also, with such a configuration, the distance between the outer end in the first direction of one of the first spring portions extending to the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end in the first direction of the other first spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module, and the distance between the outer end in the second direction of one of the second spring portions extending to the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end in the second direction of the other second spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module. Therefore, even when the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged along one side of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the second optical axis orthogonal direction, it becomes possible to prevent interference between one of the first spring portions and one of the second spring portions and the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism.

[0019] In the present invention, the optical unit with an image stabilization function includes, for example, a flexible printed circuit board drawn out from one side of a movable body in a direction orthogonal to the second optical axis. In this case, due to the influence of the flexible printed circuit board, the movable body is less likely to rotate when rotating with the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis as the axial direction of rotation than when rotating with the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis as the axial direction of rotation. However, since only the third magnetic drive mechanism is arranged along one side of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis, it is possible to increase the driving force of the third magnetic drive mechanism by enlarging the third drive magnet and the third drive coil constituting the third magnetic drive mechanism. Therefore, even if the movable body becomes less likely to rotate with the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis as the axial direction of rotation due to the influence of the flexible printed circuit board, it is possible to appropriately rotate the movable body with the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis as the axial direction of rotation.

[0020] In the present invention, the first magnetic drive mechanism includes two sets of a first drive magnet and a first drive coil arranged to face each other in a direction orthogonal to the first optical axis, the second magnetic drive mechanism includes one set of a second drive magnet and a second drive coil, and it is preferable that the first drive magnets are arranged on both sides of the second drive magnet in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis, and the first drive coils are arranged on both sides of the second drive coil in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis.

[0021] With such a configuration, compared to the case where the second driving magnets are arranged on both sides of the first driving magnet in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis, and the second driving coils are arranged on both sides of the first driving coil in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis, it becomes possible to miniaturize the optical unit with a shake correction function in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis. Further, with such a configuration, since it becomes possible to arrange the second driving magnet at the center in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis, for example, when a magnetic sensor for detecting the rotation position of the movable body with respect to a fixed body having the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis as the axial direction of rotation is arranged to face the second driving magnet in the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis, it becomes possible to suppress the amount of deviation in the optical axis direction between the second driving magnet and the magnetic sensor when the movable body rotates with respect to the fixed body with the direction orthogonal to the first optical axis as the axial direction of rotation. Therefore, it becomes possible to appropriately detect the rotation position of the movable body with respect to the fixed body having the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis as the axial direction of rotation by using the second driving magnet and the magnetic sensor.

[0022] In the present invention, the first driving magnet is preferably composed of two magnetized portions polarized in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis, and the poles of the two first driving magnets on the side of the second driving magnet are preferably the same pole. With such a configuration, even when the first driving magnets are arranged on both sides of the second driving magnet in the direction orthogonal to the second optical axis, the balance of the magnetism generated by the two first driving magnets with respect to the second driving magnet is improved. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the influence of the first magnetic drive mechanism on the magnetic circuit of the second magnetic drive mechanism.

Effects of the Invention

[0023] As described above, in the present invention, in an optical unit with an image stabilization function including a first intermediate member that holds a movable body having a camera module, a second intermediate member that holds the first intermediate member so that the first intermediate member can rotate about a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module as the axial direction of rotation, and a fixed body that holds the second intermediate member so that the second intermediate member can rotate about a second direction that intersects the optical axis of the camera module and also intersects the first direction as the axial direction of rotation, it is possible to miniaturize the optical unit with an image stabilization function while reliably suppressing the play of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction and the play of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] (Overall Configuration of Optical Unit with Image Stabilization Function) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical unit 1 with an image stabilization function according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the optical unit 1 with an image stabilization function shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the optical unit 1 with an image stabilization function shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second intermediate member 5 and a second fulcrum portion 13 etc. shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a holder 16, a first intermediate member 4 and a first fulcrum portion 12 etc. shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the holder 16, a first magnetic drive mechanism 7, a second magnetic drive mechanism 8, a third magnetic drive mechanism 9 etc. shown in FIG. 2 extracted.

[0027] In the following description, as shown in FIGS. 1 etc., each of the three mutually orthogonal directions is defined as the X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction, the X direction is the left - right direction, the Y direction is the front - back direction, and the Z direction is the up - down direction. Also, the X1 - direction side of FIGS. 1 etc. which is one side in the left - right direction is the "right" side, the X2 - direction side of FIGS. 1 etc. which is the opposite side is the "left" side, the Y1 - direction side of FIGS. 1 etc. which is one side in the front - back direction is the "front" side, the Y2 - direction side of FIGS. 1 etc. which is the opposite side is the "rear" side, the Z1 - direction side of FIGS. 1 etc. which is one side in the up - down direction is the "upper" side, and the Z2 - direction side of FIGS. 1 etc. which is the opposite side is the "lower" side.

[0028] The optical unit 1 with an image stabilization function of this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "optical unit 1") is a small and thin unit mounted on a portable device such as a smartphone, and includes a camera module 2 having a lens for photography and an imaging element. The optical unit 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin and flat as a whole. Also, the optical unit 1 has an image stabilization function for avoiding the occurrence of blurring in the captured image when shake occurs during photography.

[0029] The optical unit 1 includes a movable body 3 having a camera module 2, a first intermediate member 4 that holds the movable body 3, a second intermediate member 5 that rotatably holds the first intermediate member 4, and a fixed body 6 that rotatably holds the second intermediate member 5. In this embodiment, the first intermediate member 4 holds the movable body 3 so that the movable body 3 can rotate about the optical axis L of the camera module 2. That is, the movable body 3 can rotate with respect to the first intermediate member 4 about the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as the rotation center.

[0030] The first intermediate member 4 can rotate with respect to the second intermediate member 5 with the first direction (V direction in FIG. 2 etc.) orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as the axial direction of rotation. That is, the first intermediate member 4 can rotate with respect to the second intermediate member 5 about the first axis L1 (see FIG. 2) having the first direction as the axial direction. The second intermediate member 5 can rotate with respect to the fixed body 6 with the second direction (W direction in FIG. 2 etc.) that intersects the first direction and also intersects the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as the axial direction of rotation. That is, the second intermediate member 5 can rotate with respect to the fixed body 6 about the second axis L2 (see FIG. 2) having the second direction as the axial direction. In this embodiment, the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. Thus, a two-axis gimbal mechanism is configured between the movable body 3 and the fixed body 6.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the first intermediate member 4 and the second intermediate member 5 are arranged at a predetermined reference position and the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is at a predetermined reference position, the optical axis direction, which is the direction of the optical axis L of the camera module 2, coincides with the vertical direction. Also, when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is at the reference position, the second direction is orthogonal to the optical axis L. More specifically, when the first intermediate member 4 is arranged at a predetermined reference position and is not rotating with respect to the second intermediate member 5, the second direction is orthogonal to the optical axis L. On the other hand, when the first intermediate member 4 is rotating with respect to the second intermediate member 5, the second direction intersects the optical axis L but does not intersect at a right angle.

[0032] The first direction is, when viewed from the vertical direction, a direction that is offset by approximately 45° in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the front-rear direction in FIG. 2. The front-rear direction (Y direction) of this embodiment is a first optical axis orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is at the reference position and is inclined with respect to the first direction and the second direction. Also, the left-right direction (X direction) is a second optical axis orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the front-rear direction, which is the first optical axis orthogonal direction when the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is at the reference position, and the optical axis L of the camera module 2 and is inclined with respect to the first direction and the second direction.

[0033] The optical unit 1 includes a first magnetic drive mechanism 7 for rotating the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 about the optical axis L of the camera module 2 as the rotation center, and a second magnetic drive mechanism 8 and a third magnetic drive mechanism 9 for rotating the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 so that the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is inclined in an arbitrary direction. At both ends of the first intermediate member 4 in the first direction, first fulcrum portions 12 serving as fulcrums for the rotation of the first intermediate member 4 with respect to the second intermediate member 5 are arranged. At both ends of the second intermediate member 5 in the second direction, second fulcrum portions 13 serving as fulcrums for the rotation of the second intermediate member 5 with respect to the fixed body 6 are arranged. A rotation support portion 14 for enabling the rotation of the movable body 3 with respect to the first intermediate member 4 is arranged between the movable body 3 and the first intermediate member 4.

[0034] The movable body 3 is formed in an overall flat rectangular parallelepiped shape with a thin thickness in the optical axis direction. The movable body 3 includes a holder 16 to which the camera module 2 is fixed and a rotating member 17 fixed to the holder 16. The holder 16 is formed of a resin material. The holder 16 is formed in a square frame shape, and the outer shape of the holder 16 when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the first intermediate member 4 and the second intermediate member 5 are arranged at predetermined reference positions is a square shape. The camera module 2 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the holder 16 so that the outer peripheral side of the camera module 2 is covered by the holder 16.

[0035] Also, when the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 are arranged at predetermined reference positions, two of the four sides of the holder 16 having a square outer shape are parallel to the front-rear direction, and the remaining two sides of the holder 16 are parallel to the left-right direction. Note that both ends of the holder 16 in the first direction are chamfered and form a plane substantially orthogonal to the first direction. Similarly, both ends of the holder 16 in the second direction are chamfered and form a plane substantially orthogonal to the second direction.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, on the rear surface of the holder 16, a recess 16a in which a later-described first driving magnet 35 that forms part of the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 is arranged and a recess 16b in which a later-described second driving magnet 37 that forms part of the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 is arranged are formed. On the left side surface of the holder 16, a recess 16c in which a later-described third driving magnet 39 that forms part of the third magnetic drive mechanism 9 is arranged is formed.

[0037] The rotating member 17 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel. Further, the rotating member 17 is formed by bending a metal plate into a predetermined shape. The rotating member 17 includes a placed portion 17a placed on the rotation support portion 14 and a fixed portion 17b fixed to the holder 16. The placed portion 17a is formed in an annular shape. Further, the placed portion 17a is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. The thickness direction of the placed portion 17a coincides with the optical axis direction.

[0038] The placed portion 17a is arranged above the holder 16. On the lower surface of the placed portion 17a, an annular groove portion (not shown) in which a later-described spherical body 31 that forms part of the rotation support portion 14 is arranged is formed. This groove portion is recessed upward. Further, this groove portion is formed in an annular shape centered on the optical axis L of the camera module 2. The upper end portion of the camera module 2 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the placed portion 17a.

[0039] The fixed part 17b is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the placed part 17a. In this embodiment, the fixed parts 17b are connected to both sides of the outer peripheral surface of the placed part 17a in the front-back, left-right directions, and the four fixed parts 17b are arranged at a 90° pitch around the optical axis L. The tip side of the fixed part 17b is bent downward. The tip part of the fixed part 17b is fixed to the holder 16. Further, a flat plate-shaped protruding part 17c is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the placed part 17a. The protruding part 17c protrudes from both sides of the placed part 17a in the second direction. The thickness direction of the protruding part 17c coincides with the optical axis direction.

[0040] As described above, the camera module 2 includes a lens and an imaging element. The imaging element is arranged on the lower end side of the camera module 2, and a subject arranged above the camera module 2 is photographed by the camera module 2. A flexible printed circuit board 18 is drawn out from the lower end side of the camera module 2. The flexible printed circuit board 18 is drawn out from the camera module 2 to the right side. That is, the optical unit 1 includes the flexible printed circuit board 18 drawn out to the right side from the movable body 3.

[0041] The first intermediate member 4 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel. Further, the first intermediate member 4 is formed by bending a metal plate into a predetermined shape. The first intermediate member 4 includes a placement part 4a on which the rotation support part 14 is placed, and two arm parts 4b extending from both sides of the placement part 4a in the first direction. The placement part 4a is formed in an annular shape. Further, the placement part 4a is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. The thickness direction of the placement part 4a coincides with the optical axis direction.

[0042] The placement part 4a is arranged above the holder 16. Also, the placement part 4a is arranged below the placed part 17a of the rotating member 17. As shown in FIG. 5, on the upper surface of the placement part 4a, an annular groove part 4c is formed where a part of a later-described sphere 31 that constitutes a part of the rotation support part 14 is arranged. The groove part 4c is recessed downward. Also, the groove part 4c is formed in an annular shape centered on the optical axis L of the camera module 2. On the inner peripheral side of the placement part 4a, the upper end part of the camera module 2 is arranged.

[0043] The arm part 4b is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the placement part 4a. The tip side of the arm part 4b is bent downward. The tip part 4d of the arm part 4b is formed in a flat plate shape. The thickness direction of the tip part 4d substantially coincides with the first direction. The tip part 4d is arranged outside the holder 16 in the first direction. Also, on the outer peripheral surface of the placement part 4a, a magnet attachment part 4e is connected. The magnet attachment part 4e projects from both sides in the second direction from the placement part 4a.

[0044] A magnet 19 (see FIG. 5) is attached to the upper surface of the magnet attachment part 4e. The magnet 19 is arranged below the protruding part 17c of the rotating member 17. The magnet 19 magnetically attracts the protruding part 17c. The magnet 19 is magnetized into two poles in the circumferential direction of the annular placement part 4a. That is, the magnet 19 is constituted by two magnetized parts polarized in the circumferential direction of the placement part 4a.

[0045] The second intermediate member 5 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel. Further, the second intermediate member 5 is a leaf spring formed by bending a springy metal plate into a predetermined shape. The second intermediate member 5 includes a base portion 5a disposed above the rotating member 17 and the first intermediate member 4, two arm portions 5b extending from the base portion 5a toward both sides in the first direction, and two arm portions 5c extending from the base portion 5a toward both sides in the second direction. A circular through-hole is formed at the center of the base portion 5a. The outer shape of the base portion 5a is square. The arm portions 5b and 5c extend outward from the respective four corners of the base portion 5a having a square outer shape. The upper end portion of the camera module 2 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the base portion 5a.

[0046] The tip side of the arm portion 5b is bent downward. The tip portion 5d of the arm portion 5b is formed in a flat plate shape. The thickness direction of the tip portion 5d substantially coincides with the first direction. The tip portion 5d is disposed outside the tip portion 4d of the arm portion 4b in the first direction. The tip side of the arm portion 5c is bent downward. The tip portion 5e of the arm portion 5c is formed in a flat plate shape. The thickness direction of the tip portion 5e substantially coincides with the second direction. The tip portion 5e is disposed outside the magnet attachment portion 4e in the second direction.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, a concave portion 5f in which a part of a later-described sphere 27 constituting a part of the first fulcrum portion 12 is disposed is formed in the tip portion 5d. The concave portion 5f is formed in a hemispherical shape. The concave portion 5f is recessed inward in the first direction. A concave portion 5g in which a part of a later-described sphere 29 constituting a part of the second fulcrum portion 13 is disposed is formed in the tip portion 5e. The concave portion 5g is formed in a hemispherical shape. The concave portion 5g is recessed inward in the second direction. A more specific configuration of the second intermediate member 5 will be described later.

[0048] The fixed body 6 includes a case body 21 having a rectangular tube-shaped intermediate member holding portion 21a that rotatably holds the second intermediate member 5, a cover 22 fixed to the upper surface side of the case body 21, and a base plate 23 fixed to the lower surface side of the case body 21. The case body 21 is formed of a resin material. The case body 21 is composed of the above-described intermediate member holding portion 21a and a rectangular tube-shaped FPC accommodating portion 21b in which the flexible printed circuit board 18 is accommodated on the inner peripheral side.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate member holding portion 21a is formed in a rectangular tube shape with both upper and lower ends open. The intermediate member holding portion 21a is disposed outside the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 in the radial direction centered on the optical axis L. The outer shape of the intermediate member holding portion 21a is square. More specifically, the outer shape of the intermediate member holding portion 21a when viewed from the vertical direction is square. That is, when the first intermediate member 4 and the second intermediate member 5 are disposed at predetermined reference positions and the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is at a predetermined reference position, the outer shape of the intermediate member holding portion 21a when viewed from the optical axis direction of the camera module 2 is square.

[0050] Of the four sides of the intermediate member holding portion 21a having a square outer shape, two sides are parallel to the front-rear direction, and the remaining two sides of the intermediate member holding portion 21a are parallel to the left-right direction. A through hole 21c in which a later-described first driving coil 36 constituting a part of the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and a later-described second driving coil 38 constituting a part of the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are disposed is formed in the rear surface portion of the intermediate member holding portion 21a (see FIG. 3). A through hole 21d in which a later-described third driving coil 40 constituting a part of the third magnetic drive mechanism 9 is disposed is formed in the left surface portion of the intermediate member holding portion 21a (see FIG. 3).

[0051] The FPC accommodating portion 21b is formed in a rectangular tube shape with both upper and lower ends open. The FPC accommodating portion 21b is connected to the right side surface of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. The cover 22 covers the case body 21 from above. A through hole for arranging the second intermediate member 5 or the like is formed in the cover 22. The base plate 23 closes the opening on the lower surface of the case body 21 (that is, the opening on the lower surfaces of the intermediate member holding portion 21a and the FPC accommodating portion 21b).

[0052] The first fulcrum portion 12 includes a support member 26 fixed to the tip portion 4d of the arm portion 4b of the first intermediate member 4, and a spherical sphere 27 fixed to the support member 26 (see FIG. 5). The support member 26 and the sphere 27 are formed of a metal material. The support member 26 includes a flat plate-shaped fixing portion 26a to which the sphere 27 is fixed. The thickness direction of the fixing portion 26a coincides with the first direction. The sphere 27 is fixed to the inner surface of the fixing portion 26a in the first direction. The fixing portion 26a is disposed outside the tip portion 4d in the first direction. The tip portion 5d of the arm portion 5b of the second intermediate member 5 is disposed between the tip portion 4d and the fixing portion 26a in the first direction. A part of the sphere 27 is disposed in the recess 5f. Due to the spring properties of the two arm portions 5b, the sphere 27 is in contact with the bottom surface of the recess 5f with a predetermined contact pressure.

[0053] The second fulcrum portion 13 includes a support member 28 fixed to the intermediate member holding portion 21a, and a spherical sphere 29 fixed to the support member 28 (see FIG. 4). The support member 28 and the sphere 29 are formed of a metal material. The support member 28 includes a flat plate-shaped fixing portion 28a to which the sphere 29 is fixed. The thickness direction of the fixing portion 28a coincides with the second direction. The sphere 29 is fixed to the inner surface of the fixing portion 28a in the second direction. The fixing portion 28a is disposed outside the tip portion 5e of the arm portion 5c of the second intermediate member 5 in the second direction. A part of the sphere 29 is disposed in the recess 5g. Due to the spring properties of the two arm portions 5c, the sphere 29 is in contact with the bottom surface of the recess 5g with a predetermined contact pressure.

[0054] The rotation support portion 14 includes a spherical body holding member 30 formed in a flat plate shape and an annular shape, and a plurality of spherical bodies 31 held by the spherical body holding member 30 (see FIG. 5). The rotation support portion 14 of the present embodiment includes six spherical bodies 31. The spherical body holding member 30 and the spherical bodies 31 are formed of a metal material. The spherical body holding member 30 is arranged such that the thickness direction of the spherical body holding member 30 coincides with the optical axis direction. Further, the spherical body holding member 30 is arranged such that the center of the spherical body holding member 30 coincides with the optical axis L. The spherical body holding member 30 is arranged between the mounted portion 17a and the mounting portion 4a in the optical axis direction.

[0055] The spherical body holding member 30 is formed with a plurality (specifically, six) of through holes for holding the spherical bodies 31. The six through holes are formed in the spherical body holding member 30 at an equal angular pitch centered on the optical axis L of the camera module 2. A part of the spherical body 31 held in the through hole of the spherical body holding member 30 is arranged in a groove formed on the lower surface of the mounted portion 17a and a groove 4c formed on the upper surface of the mounting portion 4a.

[0056] The spherical body 31 is in contact with the bottom surface of the groove of the mounted portion 17a and the bottom surface of the groove 4c of the mounting portion 4a with a predetermined contact pressure by the magnetic attractive force generated between the magnet 19 and the protruding portion 17c. As described above, the magnet 19 is magnetized into two poles in the circumferential direction of the mounting portion 4a formed in an annular shape, and the magnet 19 and the protruding portion 17c function to hold the movable body 3 at a predetermined reference position in the rotation direction of the movable body 3 centered on the optical axis L of the camera module 2. Specifically, the magnet 19 and the protruding portion 17c function to hold the movable body 3 at a predetermined reference position in the rotation direction of the movable body 3 centered on the optical axis L when no current is supplied to a first driving coil 36, which will be described later, that constitutes a part of the first magnetic drive mechanism 7.

[0057] In the optical unit 1, when a change in the inclination of the movable body 3 is detected by a predetermined detection mechanism for detecting the change in the inclination of the movable body 3, based on the detection result of this detection mechanism, a current is supplied to at least any one of a later-described first driving coil 36 that forms part of the first magnetic driving mechanism 7, a later-described second driving coil 38 that forms part of the second magnetic driving mechanism 8, and a later-described third driving coil 40 that forms part of the third magnetic driving mechanism 9, and the shake is corrected.

[0058] (Configuration of the First to Third Magnetic Driving Mechanisms and Their Peripheral Parts) FIG. 7 is a front view showing the first driving coil 36 and the second driving coil 38 shown in FIG. 6 extracted.

[0059] The first magnetic driving mechanism 7 includes a first driving magnet 35 and a first driving coil 36 that are arranged to face each other in the front-rear direction. The first magnetic driving mechanism 7 of this embodiment includes two sets of the first driving magnet 35 and the first driving coil 36. That is, the first magnetic driving mechanism 7 includes two first driving magnets 35 and two first driving coils 36. The second magnetic driving mechanism 8 includes a second driving magnet 37 and a second driving coil 38 that are arranged to face each other in the front-rear direction. The second magnetic driving mechanism 8 of this embodiment includes one set of the second driving magnet 37 and the second driving coil 38. The third magnetic driving mechanism 9 includes a third driving magnet 39 and a third driving coil 40 that are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction. The third magnetic driving mechanism 9 of this embodiment includes one set of the third driving magnet 39 and the third driving coil 40.

[0060] The second driving magnet 37 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The second driving magnet 37 is fixed to the recess 16b of the holder 16. That is, the second driving magnet 37 is fixed to the rear surface side of the holder 16. Further, the second driving magnet 37 is fixed to the center portion in the left-right direction of the holder 16 when the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 are arranged at a predetermined reference position.

[0061] When the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 are arranged at a predetermined reference position, the thickness direction of the second driving magnet 37 coincides with the front-rear direction. Further, two sides of the four sides of the second driving magnet 37 formed in a rectangular flat plate shape are parallel to the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. The second driving magnet 37 is magnetized in two poles in the vertical direction. That is, the second driving magnet 37 is composed of two magnetized portions polarized in the vertical direction.

[0062] The second driving coil 38 is, for example, an air-core coil formed by winding a conducting wire in an air-core shape. The second driving coil 38 is composed of two linear portions 38a parallel to the left-right direction and two arc-shaped portions 38b connecting both ends in the left-right direction of the two linear portions 38a (see FIG. 7). The second driving coil 38 is attached to a flexible printed circuit board 42 (see FIG. 4). The flexible printed circuit board 42 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate member holding portion 21a.

[0063] The second driving coil 38 is arranged in the through hole 21c of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. That is, the second driving coil 38 is arranged in the rear side portion of the intermediate member holding portion 21a and is arranged on the rear side of the second driving magnet 37. Further, the second driving coil 38 is arranged at the center portion in the left-right direction of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. The second magnetic driving mechanism 8 rotates the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 about an axis that is orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 and parallel to the left-right direction.

[0064] The third driving magnet 39 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The third driving magnet 39 is fixed to the concave portion 16c of the holder 16. That is, the third driving magnet 39 is fixed to the left surface side of the holder 16. Further, the third driving magnet 39 is fixed to the center portion in the front-rear direction of the holder 16 when the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 are arranged at a predetermined reference position.

[0065] When the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 are arranged at predetermined reference positions, the thickness direction of the third drive magnet 39 coincides with the left-right direction. Also, two sides out of the four sides of the rectangular flat-plate-shaped third drive magnet 39 are parallel to the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. Similar to the second drive magnet 37, the third drive magnet 39 is magnetized in two poles in the up-down direction. That is, the third drive magnet 39 is composed of two magnetized portions polarized in the up-down direction. The width of the third drive magnet 39 in the optical axis direction is equal to the width of the second drive magnet 37 in the optical axis direction. The width of the third drive magnet 39 in the front-rear direction is wider than the width of the second drive magnet 37 in the left-right direction.

[0066] The third drive coil 40 is, for example, an air-core coil formed by winding a conductor in an air-core shape. The third drive coil 40 is composed of two linear portions parallel to the front-rear direction and two arc-shaped portions connecting both ends of the two linear portions in the front-rear direction. The third drive coil 40 is attached to the flexible printed circuit board 42. The width of the third drive coil 40 in the optical axis direction is equal to the width of the second drive coil 38 in the optical axis direction. The width of the third drive coil 40 in the front-rear direction is wider than the width of the second drive coil 38 in the left-right direction.

[0067] The third drive coil 40 is arranged in the through hole 21d of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. That is, the third drive coil 40 is arranged in the left side portion of the intermediate member holding portion 21a and is arranged on the left side of the third drive magnet 39. Also, the third drive coil 40 is arranged at the center portion in the front-rear direction of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. The third magnetic drive mechanism 9 rotates the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 about an axis that is orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 and parallel to the front-rear direction as the rotation center.

[0068] The first driving magnet 35 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The first driving magnet 35 is fixed to the recess 16a of the holder 16. That is, the first driving magnet 35 is fixed to the rear surface side of the holder 16. When the movable body 3, the first intermediate member 4, and the second intermediate member 5 are arranged at a predetermined reference position, the thickness direction of the first driving magnet 35 coincides with the front-rear direction. Further, two sides of the four sides of the first driving magnet 35 formed in a rectangular flat plate shape are parallel to the optical axis direction of the camera module 2. The first driving magnet 35 is arranged on both left and right sides of the second driving magnet 37.

[0069] The first driving magnet 35 is magnetized into two poles in the left-right direction. That is, the first driving magnet 35 is composed of two magnetized portions polarized in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the magnetic poles of the two first driving magnets 35 on the side of the second driving magnet 37 are the same magnetic poles. That is, the right magnetic pole of the first driving magnet 35 arranged on the left side of the second driving magnet 37 and the left magnetic pole of the first driving magnet 35 arranged on the right side of the second driving magnet 37 are the same magnetic poles.

[0070] The first driving coil 36 is, for example, an air-core coil formed by winding a conducting wire in an air-core shape. The first driving coil 36 is composed of two linear portions 36a parallel to the optical axis direction and two arc portions 36b connecting both ends of the two linear portions 36a in the optical axis direction (see FIG. 7). As described above, in this embodiment, since the right magnetic pole of the first driving magnet 35 arranged on the left side of the second driving magnet 37 and the left magnetic pole of the first driving magnet 35 arranged on the right side of the second driving magnet 37 are the same magnetic poles, the winding direction of one of the two first driving coils 36 and the winding direction of the other first driving coil 36 are opposite to each other.

[0071] The first driving coil 36 is attached to the flexible printed circuit board 42. The first driving coil 36 is disposed in the through hole 21c of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. That is, the first driving coil 36 is disposed in the rear side portion of the intermediate member holding portion 21a and is disposed behind the first driving magnet 35. Further, the first driving coil 36 is disposed on both sides in the left-right direction of the second driving coil 38.

[0072] As described above, the first driving magnet 35 and the second driving magnet 37 are fixed to the rear surface side of the holder 16, and the first driving coil 36 and the second driving coil 38 are disposed in the rear side portion of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. Further, the third driving magnet 39 is fixed to the left surface side of the holder 16, and the third driving coil 40 is disposed in the left side portion of the intermediate member holding portion 21a.

[0073] That is, the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are disposed along one side (specifically, the rear side) of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion 21a parallel to the left-right direction, and the third magnetic drive mechanism 9 is disposed along one side (specifically, the left side) of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion 21a parallel to the front-rear direction. That is, the first magnetic drive mechanism 7, the second magnetic drive mechanism 8, and the third magnetic drive mechanism 9 are disposed along the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion 21a whose outer shape is square when viewed from the up-down direction.

[0074] A magnetic sensor 43 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the rotational position of the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 around the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is disposed opposite to the first driving magnet 35. A magnetic sensor 44 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the rotational position of the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 around an axis orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 and parallel to the left-right direction is disposed opposite to the second driving magnet 37. A magnetic sensor 45 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the rotational position of the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 around an axis orthogonal to the optical axis L of the camera module 2 and parallel to the front-rear direction is disposed opposite to the third driving magnet 39.

[0075] The magnetic sensors 43 to 45 are Hall sensors having Hall elements. The magnetic sensors 43 to 45 are mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 42. The magnetic sensor 43 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the first driving coil 36 which is an air-core coil. The magnetic sensor 44 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the second driving coil 38 which is an air-core coil. The magnetic sensor 45 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the third driving coil 40 which is an air-core coil.

[0076] A second magnetic plate made of a magnetic material is fixed to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board 42 opposite to the surface on which the second driving coil 38 is attached, and a third magnetic plate made of a magnetic material is fixed to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board 42 opposite to the surface on which the third driving coil 40 is attached. The magnetic attractive forces generated between the second driving magnet 37 and the second magnetic plate and between the third driving magnet 39 and the third magnetic plate hold the positions of the first intermediate member 4 and the second intermediate member 5 disposed at the reference positions. That is, the second driving magnet 37, the second magnetic plate, the third driving magnet 39, and the third magnetic plate function to maintain the postures of the first intermediate member 4 and the second intermediate member 5 when no current is supplied to the second driving coil 38 or the third driving coil 40.

[0077] (Configuration of the second intermediate member) FIG. 8 is a plan view of the second intermediate member 5 shown in FIG. 2.

[0078] As described above, the second intermediate member 5 includes two arm portions 5b (a pair of arm portions 5b) extending from the base portion 5a toward both sides in the first direction, and two arm portions 5c (a pair of arm portions 5c) extending from the base portion 5a toward both sides in the second direction. Further, the sphere 27 fixed to the support member 26 fixed to the tip end portion 4d of the arm portion 4b of the first intermediate member 4 contacts the bottom surface of the recess 5f formed in the arm portion 5b with a predetermined contact pressure by the spring property of the two arm portions 5b, and the sphere 29 fixed to the support member 28 fixed to the intermediate member holding portion 21a contacts the bottom surface of the recess 5g formed in the arm portion 5c with a predetermined contact pressure by the spring property of the two arm portions 5c.

[0079] In this embodiment, due to the spring properties of the two arm portions 5b, the spherical body 27 contacts the bottom surface of the concave portion 5f with a predetermined contact pressure, thereby suppressing the rattling of the first intermediate member 4 with respect to the second intermediate member 5 in the first direction. Further, due to the spring properties of the two arm portions 5c, the spherical body 29 contacts the bottom surface of the concave portion 5g with a predetermined contact pressure, thereby suppressing the rattling of the second intermediate member 5 with respect to the fixed body 6 in the second direction. The two arm portions 5b of this embodiment are a pair of first spring portions having spring properties for suppressing the rattling of the first intermediate member 4 with respect to the second intermediate member 5 in the first direction, and the two arm portions 5c are a pair of second spring portions having spring properties for suppressing the rattling of the second intermediate member 5 with respect to the fixed body 6 in the second direction.

[0080] Also, as described above, the arm portion 5b extends from the base portion 5a toward both sides in the first direction. That is, when viewed from the optical axis direction of the camera module 2, one of the two arm portions 5b extends to the outer side in one direction of the first direction, and the other arm portion 5b extends to the opposite side of one arm portion 5b. Specifically, when viewed from the optical axis direction of the camera module 2, one arm portion 5b extends obliquely to the left rear side, and the other arm portion 5b extends obliquely to the right front side. In the following description, when distinguishing and representing each of the two arm portions 5b, one arm portion 5b that extends obliquely to the left rear side is referred to as the "one-side arm portion 5b", and the other arm portion 5b that extends obliquely to the right front side is referred to as the "other-side arm portion 5b".

[0081] Also, the arm portion 5c extends from the base portion 5a toward both sides in the second direction. That is, when viewed from the optical axis direction of the camera module 2, one of the two arm portions 5c extends to the outer side in one direction of the second direction, and the other arm portion 5c extends to the opposite side of one arm portion 5c. Specifically, when viewed from the optical axis direction of the camera module 2, one arm portion 5c extends obliquely to the right rear side, and the other arm portion 5c extends obliquely to the left front side. In the following description, when distinguishing and representing each of the two arm portions 5c, one arm portion 5c that extends obliquely to the right rear side is referred to as the "one-side arm portion 5c", and the other arm portion 5c that extends obliquely to the left front side is referred to as the "other-side arm portion 5c".

[0082] In this embodiment, when viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L of the camera module 2 in the reference position, the distance D1 (see FIG. 8) between the outer end of one side arm portion 5b in the first direction and the optical axis L is longer than the distance D2 (see FIG. 8) between the outer end of the other side arm portion 5b in the first direction and the optical axis L. That is, the distance D1 between the outer end of one side arm portion 5b extending toward the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are disposed and the optical axis L in the first direction is longer than the distance D2 between the outer end of the other side arm portion 5b in the first direction and the optical axis L. That is, when viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L of the camera module 2 in the reference position, the length of one side arm portion 5b in the first direction is longer than the length of the other side arm portion 5b in the first direction.

[0083] Specifically, the distance D1 is the shortest distance in the first direction between the outer surface of the tip portion 5d of one side arm portion 5b in the first direction and the optical axis L when viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L in the reference position. Specifically, the distance D2 is the shortest distance in the first direction between the outer surface of the tip portion 5d of the other side arm portion 5b in the first direction and the optical axis L when viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L in the reference position.

[0084] When viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L in the reference position, the widths of the two arm portions 5b (that is, the widths of the arm portions 5b in the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction and the first direction of the arm portions 5b) are constant. Also, the width H1 (see FIG. 8) of one side arm portion 5b is equal to the width H2 (see FIG. 8) of the other side arm portion 5b. Note that the widths of the two arm portions 5b may become narrower as they extend from the base ends to the tips of the arm portions 5b (that is, as they extend from the inner ends in the first direction to the outer ends in the first direction). In this case, the widths of the two arm portions 5b may become continuously narrower or stepwise narrower as they extend from the base ends to the tips of the arm portions 5b.

[0085] In addition, when viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L of the camera module 2 in the reference position, the distance D3 (see FIG. 8) between the outer end of one side arm portion 5c in the second direction and the optical axis L is longer than the distance D4 (see FIG. 8) between the outer end of the other side arm portion 5c in the second direction and the optical axis L. That is, the distance D3 between the outer end of one side arm portion 5c extending toward the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are arranged and the optical axis L in the second direction is longer than the distance D4 between the outer end of the other side arm portion 5c in the second direction and the optical axis L. That is, when viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L of the camera module 2 in the reference position, the length of one side arm portion 5c in the second direction is longer than the length of the other side arm portion 5c in the second direction.

[0086] Specifically, the distance D3 is the shortest distance in the second direction between the outer surface of the tip portion 5e of one side arm portion 5c in the second direction and the optical axis L when viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L in the reference position. The distance D4 is specifically the shortest distance in the second direction between the outer surface of the tip portion 5e of the other side arm portion 5c in the second direction and the optical axis L when viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L in the reference position. The distance D3 is longer than the distance D1, and the distance D4 is longer than the distance D2. Also, the distance D4 is shorter than the distance D1.

[0087] When viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L in the reference position, the widths of the two arm portions 5c (that is, the widths of the arm portions 5c in the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction and the second direction of the arm portions 5c) become narrower as going from the base end to the tip of the arm portions 5c (that is, as going from the inner end in the second direction to the outer end in the second direction). Specifically, the widths of the two arm portions 5c continuously become narrower as going from the base end to the tip of the arm portions 5c. Note that the widths of the two arm portions 5c may become narrower stepwise as going from the base end to the tip of the arm portions 5c. Also, the widths of the two arm portions 5c may be constant.

[0088] The width H3 (see FIG. 8) of the proximal end of the one-side arm portion 5c is equal to the width H4 (see FIG. 8) of the proximal end of the other-side arm portion 5c. Also, the width H5 (see FIG. 8) of the outer end of the one-side arm portion 5c in the second direction is equal to the width H6 (see FIG. 8) of the outer end of the other-side arm portion 5c in the second direction.

[0089] (Main effects of this embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, the second intermediate member 5 includes a pair of arm portions 5b for suppressing the rattling of the first intermediate member 4 with respect to the second intermediate member 5 in the first direction, and a pair of arm portions 5c for suppressing the rattling of the second intermediate member 5 with respect to the fixed body 6 in the second direction. Further, in this embodiment, when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis L of the camera module 2 is in the reference position, the distance D1 between the outer end of the one-side arm portion 5b in the first direction and the optical axis L is longer than the distance D2 between the outer end of the other-side arm portion 5b in the first direction and the optical axis L, and the distance D3 between the outer end of the one-side arm portion 5c in the second direction and the optical axis L is longer than the distance D4 between the outer end of the other-side arm portion 5c in the second direction and the optical axis L.

[0090] Therefore, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to reduce the spring constant of the one-side arm portion 5b and suppress the variation in the biasing force of the pair of arm portions 5b, and it also becomes possible to reduce the spring constant of the one-side arm portion 5c and suppress the variation in the biasing force of the pair of arm portions 5c. Thus, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to surely suppress the rattling of the first intermediate member 4 with respect to the second intermediate member 5 in the first direction by the pair of arm portions 5b, and it also becomes possible to surely suppress the rattling of the second intermediate member 5 with respect to the fixed body 6 in the second direction by the pair of arm portions 5c. Also, in this embodiment, since the distance D2 is shorter than the distance D1 and the distance D4 is shorter than the distance D3, it becomes possible to miniaturize the optical unit 1.

[0091] In this embodiment, the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are arranged along the rear side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a parallel to the left-right direction, and the third magnetic drive mechanism 9 is arranged along the left side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a parallel to the front-rear direction. Therefore, in a portable device or the like on which the optical unit 1 of this embodiment is mounted, various components may be arranged so that magnetic interference does not occur in the regions along each of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. Accordingly, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the degree of freedom in the design of a portable device or the like on which the optical unit 1 is mounted.

[0092] Note that, in this embodiment, the distance D1 between the outer end in the first direction of the one-side arm portion 5b extending to the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are arranged and the optical axis L is longer than the distance D2 between the outer end in the first direction of the other-side arm portion 5b and the optical axis L, and the distance D3 between the outer end in the second direction of the one-side arm portion 5c extending to the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are arranged and the optical axis L is longer than the distance D4 between the outer end in the second direction of the other-side arm portion 5c and the optical axis L. Therefore, even if the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8 are arranged along the rear side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a, it is possible to prevent interference between the one-side arm portions 5b and 5c and the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the second magnetic drive mechanism 8.

[0093] In this embodiment, since the flexible printed circuit board 18 is drawn out to the right from the camera module 2, due to the influence of the flexible printed circuit board 18, the movable body 3 is less likely to rotate when rotating with the front-rear direction as the axial direction of rotation than when rotating with the left-right direction as the axial direction of rotation. However, in this embodiment, since only the third magnetic drive mechanism 9 is arranged along one side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a parallel to the front-rear direction, as described above, the width of the third drive magnet 39 in the front-rear direction is made wider than the width of the second drive magnet 37 in the left-right direction, and the width of the third drive coil 40 in the front-rear direction is made wider than the width of the second drive coil 38 in the left-right direction, so that the driving force of the third magnetic drive mechanism 9 can be increased. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the movable body 3 becomes less likely to rotate with the front-rear direction as the axial direction of rotation due to the influence of the flexible printed circuit board 18, the movable body 3 can be appropriately rotated with the front-rear direction as the axial direction of rotation.

[0094] In this embodiment, the first drive magnet 35 is arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the second drive magnet 37, and the first drive coil 36 is arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the second drive coil 38. Therefore, in this embodiment, compared with the case where the second drive magnet 37 is arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the first drive magnet 35 and the second drive coil 38 is arranged on both sides in the left-right direction of the first drive coil 36, it is possible to reduce the size of the optical unit 1 in the left-right direction. For example, it is possible to reduce the size of the optical unit 1 in the left-right direction by the amount corresponding to two arc portions 38b of the second drive coil 38.

[0095] Further, in this embodiment, since the second driving magnet 37 is disposed between the two first driving magnets 35 in the left - right direction, it becomes possible to fix the second driving magnet 37 to the center portion in the left - right direction of the holder 16, and it also becomes possible to dispose the magnetic sensor 44 disposed opposite to the second driving magnet 37 on the axis of the rotation center axis of the movable body 3 that rotates by the driving force of the third magnetic driving mechanism 9. Therefore, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to suppress the amount of deviation in the optical axis direction between the second driving magnet 37 and the magnetic sensor 44 when the movable body 3 rotates with respect to the fixed body 6 with the front - rear direction as the axis direction of rotation. As a result, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to appropriately detect the rotation position of the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed body 6 using the second driving magnet 37 and the magnetic sensor 44 with the left - right direction as the axis direction of rotation.

[0096] In this embodiment, the right - hand magnetic pole of the first driving magnet 35 disposed on the left side of the second driving magnet 37 and the left - hand magnetic pole of the first driving magnet 35 disposed on the right side of the second driving magnet 37 are the same magnetic pole. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the first driving magnets 35 are disposed on both sides in the left - right direction of the second driving magnet 37, the balance of the magnetism generated by the two first driving magnets 35 with respect to the second driving magnet 37 is improved. Therefore, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to reduce the influence of the first magnetic driving mechanism 7 on the magnetic circuit of the second magnetic driving mechanism 8.

[0097] (Other embodiments) The above - described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0098] In the above - described embodiment, when viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L in the reference position, the width H2 of the other - side arm portion 5b may be narrower than the width H1 of the one - side arm portion 5b. Further, in the above - described embodiment, when viewed from the optical axis direction with the optical axis L in the reference position, the width H4 of the base end of the other - side arm portion 5c is narrower than the width H3 of the base end of the one - side arm portion 5c, and the width H6 of the outer end in the second direction of the other - side arm portion 5c may be narrower than the width H5 of the outer end in the second direction of the one - side arm portion 5c.

[0099] In this case, since the spring constants of the other-side arm portions 5b and 5c can also be made small, it becomes possible to effectively suppress the variation in the biasing force of the pair of arm portions 5b and the variation in the biasing force of the pair of arm portions 5c. Therefore, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress the rattling of the first intermediate member 4 with respect to the second intermediate member 5 in the first direction and the rattling of the second intermediate member 5 with respect to the fixed body 6 in the second direction. Further, in this case, since the spring constant of one-side arm portion 5b and the spring constant of the other-side arm portion 5b can be made the same, it becomes possible to deform the pair of arm portions 5b in a well-balanced manner. Also, since the spring constant of one-side arm portion 5c and the spring constant of the other-side arm portion 5c can be made the same, it becomes possible to deform the pair of arm portions 5c in a well-balanced manner.

[0100] In the above-described configuration, the right magnetic pole of the first driving magnet 35 disposed on the left side of the second driving magnet 37 and the left magnetic pole of the first driving magnet 35 disposed on the right side of the second driving magnet 37 may be different magnetic poles. In this case, the winding directions of one of the two first driving coils 36 and the other first driving coil 36 are the same direction.

[0101] In the above-described configuration, the second driving magnets 37 may be disposed on both left and right sides in the left-right direction of the first driving magnet 35, and the second driving coils 38 may be disposed on both left and right sides in the left-right direction of the first driving coil 36. Also, in the above-described configuration, if the movable body 3 can be appropriately rotated with the front-rear direction as the axial direction of rotation, the first magnetic drive mechanism 7 and the third magnetic drive mechanism 9 may be disposed along the left side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a. In this case, the first driving magnets 35 may be disposed on both front and rear sides in the front-rear direction of the third driving magnet 39, and the first driving coils 36 may be disposed on both front and rear sides in the front-rear direction of the third driving coil 40, or the third driving magnets 39 may be disposed on both front and rear sides in the front-rear direction of the first driving magnet 35, and the third driving coils 40 may be disposed on both front and rear sides in the front-rear direction of the first driving coil 36. Also, in this case, the distance D4 becomes longer than the distance D3.

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, if the movable body 3 can be appropriately rotated with the front-rear direction as the axial direction of rotation, one set of first driving magnets 35 and first driving coils 36 and the second magnetic driving mechanism 8 may be arranged along the rear side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a, and another set of first driving magnets 35 and first driving coils 36 and the third magnetic driving mechanism 9 may be arranged along the left side of the intermediate member holding portion 21a.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the movable body 3 may be fixed to the first intermediate member 4 and may not be rotatable with respect to the first intermediate member 4. In this case, the first magnetic driving mechanism 7 and the rotation support portion 14 become unnecessary. Further, in this case, the first intermediate member 4 may be fixed to the holder 16. When the first intermediate member 4 is fixed to the holder 16, the rotating member 17 becomes unnecessary.

[0104] In the above-described embodiment, the outer shape of the intermediate member holding portion 21a when viewed from the up-down direction may be rectangular. In this case, for example, the first direction and the second direction are not orthogonal. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the first direction and the second direction may not be orthogonal. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first driving coil 36, the second driving coil 38, and the third driving coil 40 may be attached to the holder 16, and the first driving magnet 35, the second driving magnet 37, and the third driving magnet 39 may be attached to the intermediate member holding portion 21a. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case body 21 may not include the FPC accommodating portion 21b. That is, the case body 21 may be constituted only by the intermediate member holding portion 21a.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0105] 1 Optical unit (Optical unit with image stabilization function) 2 Camera module 3 Movable body 4 First intermediate member 5 Second intermediate member 5b Arm portion (First spring portion) 5c Wrist (Second Spring Portion) 6 Fixing Body 7 First Magnetic Drive Mechanism 8 Second Magnetic Drive Mechanism 9 Third Magnetic Drive Mechanism 18 Flexible Printed Circuit Board 21a Intermediate Member Holding Portion 35 First Driving Magnet 36 First Driving Coil 37 Second Driving Magnet 38 Second Driving Coil 39 Third Driving Magnet 40 Third Driving Coil D1 Distance between the outer end in the first direction of one of the first spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module D2 Distance between the outer end in the first direction of the other first spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module D3 Distance between the outer end in the second direction of one of the second spring portions and the optical axis of the camera module D4 Distance between the outer end in the second direction of the other second spring portion and the optical axis of the camera module H1 Width of one of the first spring portions H2 Width of the other first spring portion H3, H5 Width of one of the second spring portions H4, H6 Width of the other second spring portion L Optical Axis of the Camera Module V First Direction W Second Direction X Second Direction Orthogonal to the Optical Axis Y First Direction Orthogonal to the Optical Axis

Claims

1. A movable body having a camera module, a first intermediate member for holding the movable body, a second intermediate member for rotatably holding the first intermediate member, and a fixed body for rotatably holding the second intermediate member, the first intermediate member is rotatable with respect to the second intermediate member with a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module as an axial direction of rotation, the second intermediate member is rotatable with respect to the fixed body with a second direction intersecting the optical axis of the camera module and intersecting the first direction as an axial direction of rotation, when the optical axis of the camera module is at a predetermined reference position, the second direction is orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module, the second intermediate member includes a pair of first spring portions having spring properties for suppressing play of the first intermediate member with respect to the second intermediate member in the first direction, and a pair of second spring portions having spring properties for suppressing play of the second intermediate member with respect to the fixed body in the second direction, when viewed from the optical axis direction which is the direction of the optical axis of the camera module, one of the pair of first spring portions extends to the outside of one side in the first direction, and the other first spring portion extends to the outside of the other side in the first direction which is the opposite side of the direction in which one of the first spring portions extends; one of the pair of second spring portions extends to the outside of one side in the second direction, and the other second spring portion extends to the outside of the other side in the second direction which is the opposite side of the direction in which one of the second spring portions extends, when viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis of the camera module is at the reference position, the distance between the outer end of one of the first spring portions in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the other first spring portion in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module; the distance between the outer end of one of the second spring portions in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the other second spring portion in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module. An optical unit with an image stabilization function, characterized by this.

2. When viewed from the optical axis direction in a state where the optical axis of the camera module is at the reference position, the width of the other first spring portion is narrower than the width of one first spring portion, and the width of the other second spring portion is narrower than the width of one second spring portion. The optical unit with an image stabilization function according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. A first magnetic drive mechanism for rotating the movable body with respect to the fixed body about the optical axis of the camera module as a rotation center, and a second magnetic drive mechanism and a third magnetic drive mechanism for rotating the movable body with respect to the fixed body so that the optical axis of the camera module is inclined in an arbitrary direction. The first intermediate member holds the movable body so that the movable body can rotate about the optical axis of the camera module as a rotation center. The second magnetic drive mechanism includes a second drive magnet and a second drive coil that are arranged to face each other in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module and inclined with respect to the first direction and the second direction when the optical axis of the camera module is at the reference position. The third magnetic drive mechanism includes a third drive magnet and a third drive coil that are arranged to face each other in a second direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera module and the first direction orthogonal to the optical axis and inclined with respect to the first direction and the second direction when the optical axis of the camera module is at the reference position. The fixed body includes an intermediate member holding portion that rotatably holds the second intermediate member. When viewed from the optical axis direction when the optical axis of the camera module is at the reference position, the outer shape of the intermediate member holding portion is square or rectangular. Of the four sides of the intermediate member holding portion whose outer shape is square or rectangular when viewed from the optical axis direction when the optical axis of the camera module is at the reference position, two sides are parallel to the second direction orthogonal to the optical axis. The first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are arranged along one of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the second direction orthogonal to the optical axis. The third magnetic drive mechanism is arranged along one of the two sides of the intermediate member holding portion parallel to the first direction orthogonal to the optical axis. The distance between the outer end of one of the first spring portions extending toward the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are disposed in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the other first spring portion in the first direction and the optical axis of the camera module. The distance between the outer end of one of the second spring portions extending toward the side where the first magnetic drive mechanism and the second magnetic drive mechanism are disposed in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module is longer than the distance between the outer end of the other second spring portion in the second direction and the optical axis of the camera module. The optical unit with an anti-shake function according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

4. The optical unit with an anti-shake function according to claim 3, further comprising a flexible printed circuit board drawn out from one side of the movable body in a direction orthogonal to the second optical axis.

5. The first magnetic drive mechanism includes two sets of a first driving magnet and a first driving coil disposed opposite to each other in a direction orthogonal to the first optical axis. The second magnetic drive mechanism includes one set of a second driving magnet and a second driving coil. The first driving magnets are disposed on both sides of the second driving magnet in a direction orthogonal to the second optical axis. The first driving coils are disposed on both sides of the second driving coil in a direction orthogonal to the second optical axis. The optical unit with an anti-shake function according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that.

6. The first driving magnet is composed of two magnetized portions polarized in a direction orthogonal to the second optical axis. The magnetic poles of the two first driving magnets on the side of the second driving magnet are the same. The optical unit with an anti-shake function according to claim 5, characterized in that.

Images