Imaging device

Abstract

Provided is an imaging device that enables reduction in size of a casing and reduction in driving load of a flexible printed board.　This imaging device is provided with: an imaging element (16); a holding part (30) that holds the imaging element (16); a support part (31) that supports the holding part (30) in a movable manner; a coil (60-62) that drives the holding part (30); a flexible printed board (90-92) that is connected to the imaging element (16) or the coil (60-62); a control board (18) that is connected to the imaging element (16) or the coil (60-62) via the flexible printed board (90-92); and a through hole (100) that allows penetration of the flexible printed board (90-92).

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Some imaging devices are equipped with an anti-shake device that optically corrects blur by displacing an imaging element. An imaging device equipped with such an anti-shake device includes a drive unit that displaces a holder that holds the imaging element, and the drive unit corrects blur by driving the holder in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. A support unit that supports the holder and a control board that controls the imaging element and drive unit are fixed to the housing side of the imaging device. The imaging element, drive unit, and control board are electrically connected by a flexible printed circuit board. The flexibility of this flexible printed circuit board is utilized to electrically connect the imaging element, drive unit, and control board, and to allow the imaging element to be freely moved.

[0003] In the imaging device described in Patent Document 1, a flexible printed circuit board connected to an imaging element and a drive unit extends in the vertical direction, and the portion of the flexible printed circuit board that extends in the vertical direction is curved and connected to a control board on the side opposite to the side facing the imaging element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-200349 Summary of the Invention

[0005] One embodiment of the technique of the present disclosure provides an imaging device that can reduce the size of the housing and the driving load on the flexible printed circuit board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an imaging device of the present invention includes an imaging element, a holding section, a support section, a drive section, a flexible substrate, a control substrate, and a through hole. The imaging element has an imaging surface for capturing an image of a subject. The holding section holds the imaging element. The support section rotates the holding section in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. movable The drive unit drives the holding unit in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The flexible substrate is electrically connected to the imaging element or the drive unit. The control substrate is electrically connected to the imaging element or the drive unit via the flexible substrate. The through-hole is formed in the control substrate and passes through the flexible substrate.

[0007] Another imaging device of the present invention includes an imaging element, a holding section, a support section, a drive section, a flexible substrate, a control substrate, a notch, and a first plate. The imaging element has an imaging surface for capturing an image of a subject. The holding section holds the imaging element. The support section rotates the holding section in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. movable The holding part is supported by the drive part. The drive part drives the holding part in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The flexible substrate is electrically connected to the imaging element or the drive part. The control substrate is electrically connected to the imaging element or the drive part via the flexible substrate. The notch is formed in the control substrate and cut out from one side of the control substrate, and allows the flexible substrate to pass through. The first plate is provided on the surface of the control substrate opposite to the surface facing the imaging element, and abuts against the flexible substrate.

[0008] The flexible substrate preferably extends toward the center of the imaging element in a plane parallel to the imaging surface.

[0009] It is preferable that a plurality of flexible substrates are provided. The holding section includes a first flexible substrate fixing section that fixes one end of the flexible substrate, and the plurality of flexible substrates are provided, and it is preferable that a portion of at least one of the flexible substrates extending from the first flexible substrate fixing section is arranged along a first direction parallel to the imaging surface, and a portion of another of the flexible substrates extending from the first flexible substrate fixing section is arranged along a second direction that is parallel to the imaging surface and perpendicular to the first direction.

[0010] The control board is provided on a surface opposite to the surface facing the imaging element, flexible substrate It is preferable that the control board includes a second flexible board fixing portion that is provided on the control board and fixes the other end of the flexible board, the second flexible board fixing portion being arranged on a second surface opposite to the first surface that faces the imaging element, and where the distance between the first and second flexible board fixing portions in the longitudinal direction of the flexible board is L1, the diameter of the bent portion of the flexible board is d, and the length of the flexible board in the longitudinal direction is L2, it is preferable that the relationship L2 > L1 + πd / 2 be satisfied.

[0011] The first plate is preferably made of a material having a heat dissipation effect. A second plate is preferably provided on the imaging element side of the control board. The second plate is preferably provided on the holding portion. The first and second plates preferably have friction reducing portions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the imaging device. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view of the imaging element and the holding portion. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the vibration isolation device and the control board. [Figure 11] 10 is an exploded perspective view of the vibration isolation device, the control board, and the first guide plate as viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vibration isolation device and the control board. [Figure 13]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a through hole in the control board. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of the vibration isolation device, the control board, and the first guide plate taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 4. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the second connector portion and the other end portion of the flexible printed circuit board. [Figure 17] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a second connector portion and the other end of the flexible printed circuit board. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the vibration isolation device and the control board in the second embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of a vibration isolation device, a control board, and a first guide plate according to a second embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [First embodiment] As shown in Fig. 1, a digital camera 10 includes a camera body 11 and an interchangeable imaging lens 12. As shown in Fig. 2, a lens mount 13 is provided on the front of the camera body 11. The lens mount 13 has a circular imaging opening 14. The imaging lens 12 is detachably attached to the lens mount 13. The digital camera 10 is an example of an imaging device according to the present invention.

[0014] The camera body 11 has a built-in vibration isolation device 15. The vibration isolation device 15 is a device for correcting blurring of the subject light caused by vibrations given to the camera body 11. The vibrations given to the camera body 11 include hand shake of the user holding the camera body 11 to photograph a subject, and etc.

[0015] The vibration isolation device 15 is equipped with an imaging element 16. The imaging element 16 is, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, or an organic thin-film imaging element. The imaging element 16 has a rectangular imaging surface 17 that captures an image of a subject. The imaging surface 17 receives subject light that represents the subject. As is well known, the imaging surface 17 has a two-dimensional array of pixels that photoelectrically convert the received subject light and output an electrical signal. The entire imaging surface 17 is exposed to the outside through the imaging opening 14.

[0016] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a control board 18 is connected to the vibration isolation device 15. Flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92, which will be described later, are used to connect the vibration isolation device 15 and the control board 18. A CPU 93 (Central Processing Unit; see Figure 9) is provided on the control board 18. The CPU 93 is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as various processing units. The CPU 93 controls the operation of each part of the digital camera 10, including the vibration isolation device 15 and the image sensor 16.

[0017] The vibration isolation device 15 moves the imaging element 16 under the control of a CPU 93 provided on a control board 18. More specifically, the vibration isolation device 15 moves the imaging element 16 in an X-axis direction parallel to a side 19 of the imaging surface 17 of the imaging element 16 and in a Y-axis direction parallel to a side 20 that is perpendicular to the side 19, i.e., intersects the side 19 at a 90° angle, by an amount that cancels out the shake, and rotates the imaging element 16 around a Z-axis direction that is perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Note that the term "orthogonal" not only means perfectly perpendicular, but also includes the meaning of approximately perpendicular, which includes tolerances that are allowable in design and manufacturing. Furthermore, in this specification, the term "parallel" not only means perfectly parallel, but also includes the meaning of approximately parallel, which includes tolerances that are allowable in design and manufacturing.

[0018] The optical axis OA is parallel to the Z axis. The "optical axis OA" refers to the optical axis of subject light that passes through imaging lens 12 and enters imaging surface 17. Note that blur correction not only means eliminating blur, but also means reducing blur.

[0019] In the following, the side of side 19 will be referred to as "bottom," and the side opposite side 19 in the Y-axis direction will be referred to as "top." The side of side 20 will be referred to as "left," and the side opposite side 20 in the X-axis direction will be referred to as "right." The side on which subject light enters imaging surface 17 in the Z-axis direction (i.e., the side on which imaging lens 12 is located) will be referred to as "front," and the side opposite the side on which subject light enters will be referred to as "rear."

[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, the vibration isolation device 15 includes a holding unit 30 and a support unit 31. The support unit 31 includes a fixed member 32 and a yoke 33. The holding unit 30 includes a circuit board 16A (see FIG. 15) on which the imaging element 16 is mounted, and is integrally provided with components such as coils 60-62 and magnetic materials 65-67 and 75 (described later). The holding unit 30 is disposed between the fixed member 32 and the yoke 33 via balls 35, 36, and 37, all of which are the same size. The balls 35-37 enable the holding unit 30 to move in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction relative to the fixed member 32 and the yoke 33, and to rotate about the Z-axis direction.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 6, the fixing member 32 holds magnets 40, 41, 42, and 43. The magnets 40 to 43 are attached to the front of the fixing member 32, facing the holder 30. Each of the magnets 40 to 43 is a pair of a flat magnet with its north pole facing the holder 30 and a flat magnet with its south pole facing the holder 30. The magnet 40 is arranged in the upper center of the fixing member 32 with its long side aligned along the X-axis direction. The magnets 41 and 42 are aligned along the Y-axis direction. The magnet 41 is arranged in the upper left corner of the fixing member 32 with its long side aligned along the Y-axis direction. The magnet 42 is arranged in the lower left corner of the fixing member 32 with its long side aligned along the Y-axis direction. The magnet 43 is arranged in the lower right corner of the fixing member 32 with its long side aligned along the X-axis direction.

[0022] In addition to magnets 40 to 43, plates 45, 46, and 47 are attached to the front of fixed member 32. Plate 45 is located in the center of the bottom of fixed member 32, between magnets 42 and 43. Plate 46 is located in the upper left corner of fixed member 32, below magnet 41. Plate 47 is located in the upper right corner of fixed member 32, immediately to the right of magnet 40. Plate 45 supports the rolling of ball 35, plate 46 supports the rolling of ball 36, and plate 47 supports the rolling of ball 37.

[0023] A magnet 48 is attached between the magnet 43 and the plate 45. The magnet 48 is disposed adjacent to the plate 45. Note that "adjacent" here means that the distance in the XY plane is, for example, within 1 cm.

[0024] The fixed member 32 has a square-shaped restricting opening 51 formed therein, which restricts the range of movement of the holder 30 in the XY plane. The restricting opening 51 is formed in the lower left corner of the fixed member 32, between the magnet 42 and the plate 46.

[0025] Female screws 52 to 54 are provided on fixing member 32 via spacers. Female screw 52 is provided at the bottom center of fixing member 32, female screw 53 is provided at the upper right corner of fixing member 32, and female screw 54 is provided at the upper left corner of fixing member 32. A through hole 55 is provided in the center of fixing member 32 to allow flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92, which will be described later, to pass through.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the holder 30 holds the imaging element 16 and also holds coils 60 to 62. The imaging element 16 is disposed in the center of the holder 30. The coil 60 is disposed in the upper center of the holder 30, facing the magnet 40 in the Z-axis direction. The coil 61 is disposed in the upper left corner of the holder 30, facing the magnet 41 in the Z-axis direction. The coil 62 is disposed in the lower left corner of the holder 30, facing the magnet 42 in the Z-axis direction. The coil 60 is disposed with its long side aligned along the X-axis direction. The coils 61 and 62 are aligned along the Y-axis direction. The coils 61 and 62 are each disposed with its long side aligned along the Y-axis direction.

[0027] Magnetic bodies 65 to 67 are attached to the front surface of the holding part 30, which faces the yoke 33. The magnetic bodies 65 to 67 are, for example, thin iron plates.

[0028] As described above, the coil 60 is disposed in a position facing the magnet 40 in the Z-axis direction, and therefore the magnetic body 65 is also disposed in a position facing the magnet 40 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the magnetic body 65 is attracted to the magnet 40. In other words, the magnet 40 and the magnetic body 65 act as a magnetic spring.

[0029] Similarly, since coil 61 is disposed in a position facing magnet 41 in the Z-axis direction as described above, magnetic body 66 is also disposed in a position facing magnet 41 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, magnetic body 66 is attracted to magnet 41. That is, magnet 41 and magnetic body 66 also function as magnetic springs. Furthermore, since coil 62 is disposed in a position facing magnet 42 in the Z-axis direction as described above, magnetic body 67 is also disposed in a position facing magnet 42 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, magnetic body 67 is attracted to magnet 42. That is, magnet 42 and magnetic body 67 also function as magnetic springs.

[0030] Recesses 70 to 72 are formed on the rear surface of the holding unit 30 facing the fixing member 32. The recess 70 is located at the center of the lower part of the holding unit 30, facing the plate 45 in the Z-axis direction. The recess 71 is located at the upper left corner of the holding unit 30, facing the plate 46 in the Z-axis direction. The recess 72 is located at the upper right corner of the holding unit 30, facing the plate 47 in the Z-axis direction. The recess 70 accommodates the ball 35 in a rollable manner, the recess 71 accommodates the ball 36 in a rollable manner, and the recess 72 accommodates the ball 37 in a rollable manner. When viewed from above in the Z-axis direction, the sizes of the recesses 70 to 72 are larger than the diameters of the balls 35 to 37. The depths of the recesses 70 to 72 in the Z-axis direction are smaller than the diameters of the balls 35 to 37.

[0031] A magnetic body 75 is attached to a portion of the holder 30 that faces the magnet 48 in the Z-axis direction. When viewed from above in the Z-axis direction, the magnetic body 75 and the magnet 48 are disposed in a position that faces the magnetic bodies 65-67 with the imaging element 16 sandwiched between them. In other words, the magnet 48 is disposed in the center of a region diagonally opposite the imaging element 16 with respect to the substantially L-shaped arrangement region of the magnetic bodies 65-67 along the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0032] As described above, the magnetic body 75 is disposed at a position facing the magnet 48 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the magnetic body 75 is attracted to the magnet 48. In other words, the magnet 48 and the magnetic body 75 also function as a magnetic spring.

[0033] A cylindrical protrusion 76 that protrudes toward the fixed member 32 is provided on the rear surface of the holding unit 30 at a position facing the restricting opening 51 in the Z-axis direction. The protrusion 76 is inserted into the restricting opening 51. Therefore, the protrusion 76 functions as a restricting pin that restricts movement of the holding unit 30 in the XY plane.

[0034] The yoke 33 is made of a magnetic material such as a thin iron plate, and is generally L-shaped to match the arrangement of the magnets 40-42 and the coils 60-62. The yoke 33 forms a magnetic circuit between the magnets 40-42 and increases the magnetic flux received by the coils 60-62.

[0035] Male screws 80-82 (see FIG. 5) are attached to the yoke 33. The male screws 80-82 are fastened to the female screws 52-54 of the fixing member 32. As a result, the holding part 30 is disposed between the fixing member 32 and the yoke 33, and the fixing member 32 and the yoke 33 are fixed together.

[0036] 8, the vibration-damping device 15 includes sliding mechanisms 83 to 85. The sliding mechanism 83 has a ball 35, a plate 45, and a recess 70. The sliding mechanism 84 has a ball 36, a plate 46, and a recess 71. The sliding mechanism 85 has a ball 37, a plate 47, and a recess 72. The sliding mechanisms 83 to 85 enable the holder 30 to move relative to the fixed member 32.

[0037] Anti-vibration device 15 has sliding mechanisms 83-85 arranged in three locations, which allow holder 30 to move stably relative to fixed member 32 and yoke 33. Holder 30 holds image sensor 16. Therefore, image sensor 16 moves as holder 30 moves. Under the control of CPU 93 provided on control board 18, holder 30 is moved in a direction that cancels out the shake and by an amount that cancels out the shake.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 9, the vibration isolation device 15 includes a pair of voice coil motors (VCMs). The pair of VCMs according to this embodiment is a pair of a first VCM 86 and a second VCM 87, and corresponds to the drive unit in the claims. The first VCM 86 includes a pair of a magnet 40 and a coil 60, and a yoke 33, and generates power to move the holding unit 30 in the Y-axis direction. Meanwhile, the second VCM 87 includes a pair of a magnet 41 and a coil 61, a pair of a magnet 42 and a coil 62, and a yoke 33, and generates power to move the holding unit 30 in the X-axis direction.

[0039] The first VCM 86 and the second VCM 87 drive the holding unit 30 in the XY plane perpendicular to the optical axis OA. More specifically, the first VCM 86 generates power to move the holding unit 30 in the Y-axis direction by the magnetic force of the magnet 40 and the current flowing through the coil 60. The second VCM 87 generates power to move the holding unit 30 in the X-axis direction by the magnetic force of the magnet 41 and the current flowing through the coil 61, and by the magnetic force of the magnet 42 and the current flowing through the coil 62.

[0040] The holder 30 has three position detection sensors for detecting its position and rotational attitude. Specifically, Hall elements (not shown) are arranged in positions facing the magnets 41 to 43 in the Z-axis direction, and detect the position by the magnetic fields generated by the magnets 41 to 43. The Hall elements are mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 91 and the circuit board 16A.

[0041] The vibration-proof device 15 is equipped with a magnetic force applying mechanism 88. The magnetic force applying mechanism 88 has magnets 40 to 42, magnet 48, magnetic bodies 65 to 67, and magnetic body 75. The magnetic force applying mechanism 88 applies a magnetic force that attracts the holding part 30 to the fixed member 32 in the Z-axis direction. This magnetic force urges the holding part 30 toward the fixed member 32, eliminating any wobble of the fixed member 32 in the Z-axis direction.

[0042] The holding part 30, which is disposed between the fixed member 32 and the yoke 33 and attached to the support part 31, has its position in the Z-axis direction restricted by a magnetic force applying mechanism 88, and is movable by three sliding mechanisms 83 to 85. That is, the support part 31 supports the holding part 30 so that it can move freely within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis OA.

[0043] As described above, the holding unit 30 is provided with the imaging element 16 and the coils 60-62. The imaging element 16 or the coils 60-62 are electrically connected to the control board 18 via a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards 90-92. The flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 correspond to the flexible boards in the claims. The control board 18 is provided with a CPU 93. Note that although three flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 are provided in this embodiment, the number is not limited to this, and one or two, or four or more flexible printed circuit boards may be provided.

[0044] 8, first connectors 95, 97 and a fixed cushion 96 are provided on the rear surface of the holder 30. The first connectors 95, 97 and the fixed cushion 96 correspond to the first flexible board fixing portion in the claims. The first connector 95 is provided near the bottom end of the holder 30, the fixed cushion 96 is provided near the left end of the holder 30, and the first connector 97 is provided near the right end of the holder 30.

[0045] The first connector portions 95, 97 have slots that fit into one ends of the flexible printed circuit boards 90, 92, and terminals and the like that are provided inside the slots and electrically connect to the wiring patterns of the flexible printed circuit boards 90, 92. The fixing cushion portion 96 is, for example, a urethane cushion with double-sided tape attached to two surfaces, and fixes the circuit board 16A and the intermediate portion of the flexible printed circuit board 91.

[0046] A second guide plate 98 is provided on the rear surface of the holding portion 30. The second guide plate 98 is PhotographyThe second guide plate 98 is a flat, plate-like sheet disposed parallel to the image plane 17. The second guide plate 98 is attached to mounted components 99 (see FIG. 15) on the circuit board 16A of the image sensor 16, for example, via double-sided tape, and is made of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin sheet. Note that in FIG. 8, some of the mounted components on the circuit board 16A are omitted to avoid cluttering the drawing. The second guide plate 98 comes into contact with the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92, as will be described later.

[0047] 10 and 11, the control board 18 is located behind the vibration isolation device 15. A first guide plate 110 (see also FIG. 5), which will be described later, is provided further behind the control board 18. The control board 18 and the first guide plate 110 are fixed to the camera body 11.

[0048] The control board 18 is provided with a through-hole 100 through which the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 pass, and second connector portions 101-103. The second connector portions 101-103 correspond to the second flexible board fixing portion in the claims. The second connector portions 101-103 are attached to a front surface 18A of the control board 18 that faces the holding portion 30 (the surface that faces the image sensor 16; FIG. 5 three The second connector portions 101 to 103 are arranged around the through hole 100. The second connector portions 101 to 103 are arranged on the rear surface 18B opposite to the front surface 18B.

[0049] In the process of connecting the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 to the holding unit 30 and the control board 18 that constitute the digital camera 10 of this embodiment, first, the flexible printed circuit boards 90, 92 are connected to the first connector units 95, 97. Specifically, one end of the flexible printed circuit board 90 is connected to the first connector unit 95, and one end of the flexible printed circuit board 92 is connected to the first connector unit 97.

[0050] For example, the flexible printed circuit board 90 is electrically connected to the imaging element 16 by being connected to the first connector 95, and the flexible printed circuit board 92 is electrically connected to the circuit board 16A of the imaging element 16 by being connected to the first connector 97, thereby supplying power. The flexible printed circuit board 91 is electrically connected to the coils 60 to 62 and a Hall element (not shown) via solder portions.

[0051] The flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 fixed by the first connector portions 95, 97 and the fixing cushion portion 96 extend toward the center of the imaging element 16 (toward the center CL) in the XY plane parallel to the imaging surface 17. Specifically, the flexible printed circuit board 90 connected to the first connector portion 95 has a portion extending from the first connector portion 95 arranged along the Y axis direction, the flexible printed circuit board 91 fixed by the fixing cushion portion 96 has a portion extending from the fixing cushion portion 96 arranged along the X axis direction, and the flexible printed circuit board 92 connected to the first connector portion 97 has a portion extending from the first connector portion 97 arranged along the X axis direction. Note that the center CL of the imaging element 16 here refers to the center of the imaging surface 17.

[0052] Next, the other ends of the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 are connected to the second connector portions 101-103, respectively. As described above, the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92, one end of which is connected to the first connector portions 95, 97 and the fixing cushion portion 96, respectively, pass through the through hole 55 of the fixing member 32 and the through hole 100 of the control board 18, and protrude toward the rear surface 18B of the control board 18. Furthermore, the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 that have passed through the through hole 100 protrude toward the rear surface 18B in a state of being bent 180 degrees.

[0053] 12, the other end of flexible printed circuit board 90 is connected to second connector portion 101, the other end of flexible printed circuit board 91 is connected to second connector portion 102, and the other end of flexible printed circuit board 92 is connected to second connector portion 103, passing through through hole 100 of control board 18. As described above, imaging element 16 or coils 60-62 and control board 18 are electrically connected via flexible printed circuit boards 90-92.

[0054] 13, the through-hole 100 has a shape in which at least two substantially rectangular shapes are overlapped, and in this embodiment, it has a shape in which three substantially rectangular shapes are overlapped. That is, the through-hole 100 has a shape in which a substantially rectangular area 100A in which the flexible printed circuit board 90 moves, a substantially rectangular area 100B in which the flexible printed circuit board 91 moves, and a substantially rectangular area 100C in which the flexible printed circuit board 92 moves are overlapped. This allows the space in which the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92 move to be concentrated in one place, and since the areas 100A to 100C in which the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92 move partially overlap, space can be saved.

[0055] The first guide plate 110 is provided on the rear surface 18B side of the control board 18 and abuts against the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92. As described above, the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92 also abut against the second guide plate 98 located on the imaging element 16 side. The first guide plate 110 corresponds to the first plate in the claims, and the second guide plate 98 corresponds to the second plate in the claims.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 14, the first guide plate 110 is provided with fluorine tapes 111-113 and a heat conductive sheet 114 as friction reducers. The fluorine tapes 111-113 are attached to positions where they come into contact with the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92. This reduces friction with the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92, thereby reducing the drive load when the first VCM 86 and the second VCM 87 are driven. The friction reducers are not limited to fluorine tapes, and any material with a low coefficient of friction with the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 may be used. Furthermore, friction reducers may be provided not only on the first guide plate 110 but also on the second guide plate 98 at positions where they come into contact with the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92.

[0057] The thermally conductive sheet 114 is made of, for example, silicone rubber, and is provided at a position in contact with the control board 18, more specifically, at a position in contact with mounted components such as the CPU 93. The thermally conductive sheet 114 conducts heat from the control board 18 to the first guide plate 110. At least a portion of the first guide plate 110 is made of a material that has a heat dissipation effect, for example, a copper plate. This makes it easy to dissipate heat from the control board 18 that is conducted via the thermally conductive sheet 114.

[0058] 15 shows a cross-sectional view of a main part of the flexible printed circuit board 90 taken at a position where the flexible printed circuit board 90 abuts against the first guide plate 110 and the second guide plate 98. The flexible printed circuit board 90 is sandwiched between the first guide plate 110 and the second guide plate 98 and is connected to the first connector portion 95 and the second connector portion 101 in a state where it is bent by 180 degrees. That is, the flexible printed circuit board 90 has a semicircular bent portion 90A.

[0059] Let L1 be the distance between the first connector portion 95 and the second connector portion 101 in the longitudinal direction of the flexible printed circuit board 90, i.e., the Y-axis direction, d be the diameter of the bent portion 90A, and L2 be the length of the flexible printed circuit board 90 in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the flexible printed circuit board 90 has a long straight portion arranged in the Y-axis direction, so it is less susceptible to twisting. This means that the drive load when the first VCM 86 and the second VCM 87 are reduced. Note that the length L2 is the length excluding the portion of the flexible printed circuit board 90 connected to the first connector portion 95 and the second connector portion 101 (the portion inserted into the first connector portion 95 and the second connector portion 101). Note that the distance L1 varies depending on the position of the holder 30, but the relationship L2 > L1 + πd / 2 is satisfied in all displacement ranges, thereby constantly reducing the drive load.

[0060] Note that Figure 15 shows the dimensional relationship between the flexible printed circuit board 90 and the first connector portion 95 and second connector portion 101, but the dimensional relationship between the flexible printed circuit board 91 and the fixed cushion portion 96 and second connector portion 102, and the dimensional relationship between the flexible printed circuit board 92 and the first connector portion 97 and second connector portion 103 can also be expressed by similar equations.

[0061] Furthermore, the first guide plate 110 has a different height in the Z-axis direction for each of the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92. That is, the first guide plate 110 has a stepped shape with different heights in the Z-axis direction at the positions where it comes into contact with the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92.

[0062] 15, for example, fluorine tape 111 that contacts flexible printed circuit board 90 is located inside recess 110A, which is recessed one step from the surrounding area. In contrast, fluorine tape 112 that contacts flexible printed circuit board 91 is located outside recess 110A. That is, the first guide plate 110 has different heights in the Z-axis direction between the position that contacts flexible printed circuit board 90 and the position that contacts flexible printed circuit board 91, and there is a step between the two. This makes it possible to change the bending radius for each of the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92 and adjust the drive load.

[0063] 16 and 17, the connection between the other end of the flexible printed circuit board 90 and the second connector portion 101 will be described. Note that the connection between not only the flexible printed circuit board 90 but also the flexible printed circuit boards 91 and 92 and the second connector portions 102 and 103 has a similar structure. The connection between the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92 and the first connector portions 95 and 97 and the fixed cushion portion 96 may also have a similar structure.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 16A, the other end of the flexible printed circuit board 90 is provided with a mating portion 90B and a pair of protrusions 90C. The mating portion 90B is formed with a large thickness and is mated with a slot 101A of the second connector portion 101. The slot 101A is formed in a groove shape that matches the mating portion 90B, and a terminal (not shown) is provided therein. The protrusions 90C protrude from both sides in the width direction of the mating portion 90B, and when the mating portion 90B is mated with the slot 101A, they are engaged with recesses (not shown) formed inside the slot 101A. This prevents the flexible printed circuit board 90 from easily coming off the second connector portion 101.

[0065] As described above, the flexible printed circuit board 90 is disposed so as to extend in the X-axis direction. Reference numeral 90D denotes a straight portion extending in the X-axis direction. The straight portion 90D and the second connector portion 101 are disposed with a positional offset in the Y-axis direction. For this reason, a crank-shaped position absorbing portion 90E is provided in a part of the fitting portion 90B or in the vicinity of the fitting portion 90B. As shown in FIG. 16(B), the provision of the position absorbing portion 90E absorbs the positional offset of the straight portion 90D in the Y-axis direction and ensures reliable connection between the second connector portion 101 and the other end of the flexible printed circuit board 90. This improves the design freedom for arranging the flexible printed circuit board 90.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 17(A), the second connector portion 101 is disposed in a direction oblique to the XY plane. That is, the direction in which the slot 101A of the second connector portion 101 is arranged is inclined at an angle α with respect to the XY plane. Note that FIGS. 17(A) and 17(B) are cross sections perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and along the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 17(B), when the fitting portion 90B is fitted into the slot 101A and the flexible printed circuit board 90 is connected to the second connector portion 101, the other end of the flexible printed circuit board 90 is inclined at an angle α with respect to the XY plane. This inclination allows the flexible printed circuit board 90 to avoid contact with the control board 18 and to reliably abut against the fluorine tape 111 attached to the first guide plate 110, thereby stabilizing the drive load.

[0067] Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 of this embodiment will be described. When vibration occurs due to hand movement or the like of a user holding the camera body 11, the CPU 93 calculates the difference between the position of the holder 30 detected by a Hall element (not shown) and the target position of the holder 30 for correcting the vibration, and performs feedback control to drive the first VCM 86 and the second VCM 87 to eliminate the difference. As shown in Figure 12, when the first VCM 86 and the second VCM 87 are driven to correct the vibration, i.e., when the coils 60-62 are driven, the holder 30 moves together with the image sensor 16, and receives a drive load from the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 connected to the holder 30.

[0068] As described above, the control board 18 is electrically connected to the image sensor 16 or coils 60-62 by the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 that pass through the through-holes 100. This allows for a larger bending radius for the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92, thereby reducing the drive load when the first VCM 86 and the second VCM 87 are driven. If the flexible printed circuit boards were routed outside the control board, as in conventional imaging devices, there would be less space around the control board, making it difficult to achieve a large bending radius. Furthermore, increasing the bending radius would result in an increased camera body size. The present invention's configuration allows for a larger bending radius for the flexible printed circuit boards while eliminating the need for space around the control boards. This allows for a more compact camera body. Furthermore, the reduced drive load allows for a more compact drive unit, which also contributes to a more compact camera body.

[0069] Furthermore, the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 connected to the first connector parts 95, 97 and the fixed cushion part 96 have portions extending from the first connector parts 95, 97 and the fixed cushion part 96 toward the center of the imaging element 16. This allows the straight portions of the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 to be arranged long. When the straight portions of the flexible printed circuit boards are short as in conventional imaging devices, twisting is likely to occur in the flexible printed circuit boards, increasing the drive load. However, as configured above, the present invention allows the straight portions of the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 to be arranged long, thereby reducing the drive load when the first VCM 86 and the second VCM 87 are driven.

[0070] Furthermore, by providing the first guide plate 110 and the second guide plate 98 that come into contact with the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92, the bending radius of the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 can be kept constant, allowing for smooth movement, thereby reducing the drive load. If the flexible printed circuit boards were not guided as in conventional imaging devices, the bending radius would change with each position the holder moved to, causing the drive load to become unstable. However, in the present invention, the bending radius can be kept constant, allowing the drive load to be kept below a certain level. Furthermore, the first guide plate 110 is provided with fluorine tapes 111-113 as friction reducers, further reducing the drive load.

[0071] Furthermore, multiple flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92 are provided, with one flexible printed circuit board 90 having a portion extending from a first connector portion 95 arranged along the Y-axis direction, and another flexible printed circuit board 91 arranged along the X-axis direction. Flexible printed circuit boards have a large driving load in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction, but by distributing the extending directions in this way, it is possible to reduce the driving load in one direction.

[0072] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, through holes 100 are formed in the control board 18 as clearance portions for passing the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92, but this is not limited to this. As shown in Figures 18 and 19, in a second embodiment described below, notches are formed in the control board 18 to allow the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92 to pass through. Note that the configuration other than the formation of notches in the control board 18 instead of through holes is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 18, the control board 18 has a notch 120 formed in one side 18C of the control board 18. The side 18C is the side located at the upper end of the control board 18. The notch 120 has a shape formed by overlapping at least two substantially rectangular shapes, similar to the through-hole 100 in the first embodiment, and in this embodiment, it has a shape formed by overlapping three substantially rectangular shapes. That is, it has a shape formed by overlapping substantially rectangular areas through which the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 move. Note that the substantially rectangular areas of the notch 120 through which the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 move are located in the same position as the through-hole 100 in the first embodiment.

[0074] Furthermore, the notch 120 extends along the Y-axis direction from the substantially rectangular region in which the flexible printed circuit board 91 moves, and is connected to one side 18C. In this way, by forming the notch 120, the process of connecting the flexible printed circuit boards 90 to 92 to the holding part 30 and the control board 18 becomes easier, improving assembly efficiency.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 19 , the flexible printed circuit board 90 is sandwiched between the first guide plate 110 and the second guide plate 98, and has a semicircular bent portion 90A, similar to the first embodiment. One end of the flexible printed circuit board 90 is electrically connected to the first connector portion 95. The flexible printed circuit board 90 passes through the cutout 120 and protrudes toward the rear surface 18B of the control board 18. The other end of the flexible printed circuit board 90 is electrically connected to the second connector portion 101. Similarly, one end of the flexible printed circuit board 92 is electrically connected to the first connector portion 97, and the other end is electrically connected to the second connector portion 102. Similarly, the flexible printed circuit board 91 is electrically connected to the second connector portion 102.

[0076] Furthermore, as in the first embodiment described above, if the distance between the first connector portion 95 and the second connector portion 101 in the longitudinal direction of the flexible printed circuit board 90, i.e., in the Y-axis direction, is L1, the diameter of the bending portion 90A is d, and the length of the flexible printed circuit board 90 in the Y-axis direction is L2, then the relationship is L2>L1+πd / 2.

[0077] Note that Figure 19 shows the dimensional relationship between the flexible printed circuit board 90 and the first connector portion 95 and second connector portion 101, but the dimensional relationship between the flexible printed circuit board 91 and the fixed cushion portion 96 and second connector portion 102, and the dimensional relationship between the flexible printed circuit board 92 and the first connector portion 97 and second connector portion 103 can also be expressed by similar equations.

[0078] As described above, in this embodiment in which the notch 120 is formed in the control board 18, the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 are arranged in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the imaging element 16 or the coils 60-62 are electrically connected to the control board 18 by the flexible printed circuit boards 90-92 that pass through the notch 120, so that, similar to the first embodiment, effects such as a reduction in the driving load can be obtained.

[0079] In each of the above embodiments, the CPU 93 has been exemplified as a processor that controls the operation of the vibration isolation device 15, but the processor as a hardware structure of a processing unit that executes various processes such as the CPU 93 is not limited to this. Various processors include, instead of or in addition to a CPU, a programmable logic device (PLD) that is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated electrical circuit that is a processor having a circuit configuration designed specifically for executing various processes.

[0080] A single processing unit may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, or a combination of a CPU and a GPU). Also, multiple processing units may be configured with a single processor. Examples of multiple processing units configured with a single processor include, first, a configuration in which one or more CPUs and software are combined to form a single processor, as typified by client or server computers, and this processor functions as multiple processing units. Second, a configuration in which a processor is used to realize the functions of an entire system including multiple processing units on a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as typified by a system-on-chip (SoC). In this way, the various processing units are configured with one or more of the above-mentioned various processors as a hardware structure.

[0081] Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit in the form of a combination of circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0082] The present invention can be applied to imaging devices other than digital cameras, such as smartphones and video cameras. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10. Digital Camera 11 Camera body 12 Imaging lens 13 Lens mount 14 Imaging aperture 15 Anti-vibration device 16 image sensor 16A circuit board 17 Imaging surface 18 Control board 18A front 18B Rear 18C Side 19 sides 20 sides 30 Holding part 31 Support part 32 Fixing member 33 York 35 balls 36 balls 37 balls 40 Magnet 41 Magnet 42 Magnet 43 Magnet 45 plates 46 Plates 47 Plate 48 Magnet 51 Restricted opening 52 female thread 53 Female thread 54 Female thread 55 Through hole 60 coils 61 Coil 62 Coil 65 Magnetic material 66 Magnetic material 67 Magnetic material 70 recess 71 Recess 72 recess 75 Magnetic material 76 Protrusion 80 male thread 81 Male thread 82 Male thread 83 Sliding mechanism 84 Sliding mechanism 85 Sliding mechanism 88 Magnetic force applying mechanism 90 Flexible Printed Circuit Board 90A bent part 90B Mating part 90C convex part 90D straight section 90E Position absorption part 91 Flexible Printed Circuit Board 92 Flexible Printed Circuit Board 95 First connector part 96 Fixed cushion part 97 First connector part 98 Second guide plate 99 Mounted Components 100 through holes 100A area 100B area 100C area 101 Second connector part 101A Slot 102 Second connector part 103 Second connector part 110 First guide plate 110A Recess 111 Fluorine Tape 112 Fluorine Tape 113 Fluorine Tape 114 Thermal Conduction Sheet 120 notch CL center d diameter L1 distance L2 length OA optical axis 86 1st VCM 87 2nd VCM α angle

Claims

1. an imaging element having an imaging surface for capturing an image of a subject; a holding portion that holds the imaging element; a support portion that supports the holding portion movably within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; a drive unit that drives the holding unit within the plane perpendicular to the optical axis; a flexible substrate electrically connected to the imaging element or the driving unit; a control board electrically connected to the imaging element or the drive unit via the flexible board; a notch formed in the control board, the notch being cut out from one side of the control board, through which a plurality of the flexible boards pass; a first plate provided on a surface of the control board opposite to a surface facing the imaging element and in contact with the flexible board; a first flexible substrate fixing portion provided on the holding portion and fixing one end of the flexible substrate; The notch has a shape of at least two substantially rectangular shapes overlapping each other.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible substrate extends toward the center of the imaging element in a plane parallel to the imaging surface.

3. At least one of the flexible substrates has a portion extending from the first flexible substrate fixing portion arranged along a first direction parallel to the imaging surface, The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion of another of the flexible substrates extending from the first flexible substrate fixing portion is arranged along a second direction that is parallel to the imaging surface and perpendicular to the first direction.

4. An imaging element having an imaging surface for imaging a subject; a holding portion that holds the imaging element; a support portion that supports the holding portion movably within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; a drive unit that drives the holding unit within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; a flexible substrate electrically connected to the imaging element or the driving unit; a control board electrically connected to the imaging element or the drive unit via the flexible board; through holes formed in the control board and allowing the flexible boards to pass through; a first flexible substrate fixing portion provided on the holding portion and fixing one end of the flexible substrate; the through-hole has a shape in which at least two substantially rectangular shapes are overlapped, an imaging device including a first plate provided on a surface of the control board opposite to a surface facing the imaging element, the first plate being in contact with the flexible board;

5. An imaging element having an imaging surface for imaging a subject; a holding portion that holds the imaging element; a support portion that supports the holding portion movably within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; a drive unit that drives the holding unit within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; a flexible substrate electrically connected to the imaging element or the driving unit; a control board electrically connected to the imaging element or the drive unit via the flexible board; through holes formed in the control board and allowing the flexible boards to pass through; a first flexible substrate fixing portion provided on the holding portion and fixing one end of the flexible substrate; the through-hole has a shape in which at least two substantially rectangular shapes are overlapped, a second flexible substrate fixing portion provided on the control substrate and fixing the other end of the flexible substrate, the second flexible substrate fixing portion being disposed on a second surface opposite to a first surface facing the imaging element; An imaging device in which the relationship L2 > L1 + πd / 2 is satisfied, where L1 is the distance between the first and second flexible substrate fixing portions in the longitudinal direction of the flexible substrate, d is the diameter of the bending portion of the flexible substrate, and L2 is the length of the flexible substrate in the longitudinal direction.

6. 5. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first plate is made of a material having a heat dissipation effect.

7. An imaging element having an imaging surface for imaging a subject; a holding portion that holds the imaging element; a support portion that supports the holding portion movably within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; a drive unit that drives the holding unit within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; a flexible substrate electrically connected to the imaging element or the driving unit; a control board electrically connected to the imaging element or the drive unit via the flexible board; through holes formed in the control board and allowing the flexible boards to pass through; a first flexible substrate fixing portion provided on the holding portion and fixing one end of the flexible substrate; the through-hole has a shape in which at least two substantially rectangular shapes are overlapped, An imaging device comprising a second plate provided on the imaging element side of the control board.

8. The imaging device according to claim 7 , wherein the second plate is provided on the holding portion.

9. a first plate provided on a surface of the control board opposite to a surface facing the imaging element and in contact with the flexible board; 9. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the first and second plates have friction reducing portions.

Images