Optical element driving device

Abstract

To increase a moving amount of an optical element holding member without excessively increasing the magnitude of a current flowing through a coil.SOLUTION: An optical element driving device 100 comprises a movable side magnetic member 4, an optical element holding member 5, and an electromagnetic mechanism DM. The electromagnetic mechanism DM has a fixed side magnetic member 8 having an iron core portion 8W and a coil 7 wound around the iron core portion 8W and moves the optical element holding member 5 from a first position to a second position by attracting a facing portion 4F of the movable side magnetic member 4, which faces a tip portion of the iron core portion 8W, to the tip portion of the iron core portion 8W by electromagnetic force. When the optical element holding member 5 is at the first position, an interval G1 between a rear end portion of the facing portion 4F and the tip portion of the iron core portion 8W is smaller than an interval G2 between a front end portion of the facing portion 4F and the tip portion of the iron core portion 8W, and an interval G2 when the optical element holding member 5 is at the first position is larger than an interval G2 when the optical element holding member 5 is at the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical element driving device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a lens driving device that moves a lens holder as an optical element holding member up and down with respect to a fixed side member has been known (see Patent Document 1). This lens driving device is configured to move the lens holder downward with respect to the fixed side member by attracting a metal plate fixed to the lens holder using an electromagnetic force generated by an electromagnet constituted by a coil wound around a part (core) of the fixed side member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in this configuration, the larger the movable amount of the lens holder is set, the larger the distance between the metal plate and the core becomes, and there is a possibility that the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil may increase. This is because the magnitude of the electromagnetic force decreases in inverse proportion to the distance between the metal plate and the core.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to be able to increase the movement amount of the optical element holding member without excessively increasing the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An optical element driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a fixed side member, an optical element holding member having a vertically penetrating opening on which an optical element can be placed, a support member that movably supports the optical element holding member with respect to the fixed side member, a movable side magnetic member connected to the optical element holding member, and an electromagnetic mechanism having a fixed side magnetic member having an iron core and a coil wound around the iron core, which moves the optical element holding member from a first position to a second position in the vertical direction by electromagnetic force pulling the opposing portion of the movable side magnetic member, which faces the tip of the iron core in the vertical direction, towards the tip of the iron core. Optical element driving device, wherein the opposing portion extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and has a first portion and a second portion that are separated from each other in the direction of extension, the movable magnetic member is connected to the optical element holding member on the side of the second portion, and when the optical element holding member is in a first position, the first distance between the first portion and the tip of the opposing portion in the vertical direction is smaller than the second distance between the second portion and the tip of the opposing portion in the vertical direction, and the second distance when the optical element holding member is in a first position is larger than the second distance when the optical element holding member is in a second position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The optical element driving device described above can increase the amount of movement of the optical element holding member without excessively increasing the current flowing through the coil. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an example configuration of an optical element driving device. [Figure 2] This is a disassembled perspective view of an optical element drive device. [Figure 3] This is a downward perspective view of the frame member. [Figure 4] This is a top view of the frame member, the upper leaf spring, the movable magnetic member, and the optical element holding member. [Figure 5] This is an exploded perspective view of the lower component. [Figure 6]This is a top view of the optical element drive unit with the cover and frame members removed. [Figure 7] This is a right side view of the optical element drive device with the cover removed. [Figure 8] Furthermore, this is a right side view of the optical element drive device with the coil and fixed magnetic member removed. [Figure 9] This is a right side view of the movable magnetic member and the fixed magnetic member. [Figure 10] This is a right side view of the upper leaf spring and the optical element holding member. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of another example configuration of an optical element driving device. [Figure 12] Figure 11 is a right side view of the frame member, movable magnetic member, and optical element holding member in the optical element driving device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, an optical element driving device 100, which is an example of the configuration of an optical element driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the optical element driving device 100. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical element driving device 100.

[0010] In Figure 1, X1 represents one direction of the X-axis in the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and X2 represents the other direction of the X-axis. Similarly, Y1 represents one direction of the Y-axis in the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and Y2 represents the other direction of the Y-axis. Likewise, Z1 represents one direction of the Z-axis in the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and Z2 represents the other direction of the Z-axis. In Figure 1, the X1 side of the optical element drive device 100 corresponds to the front side of the optical element drive device 100, and the X2 side of the optical element drive device 100 corresponds to the rear side of the optical element drive device 100. Furthermore, the Y1 side of the optical element drive device 100 corresponds to the left side of the optical element drive device 100, and the Y2 side of the optical element drive device 100 corresponds to the right side of the optical element drive device 100. Furthermore, the Z1 side of the optical element drive device 100 corresponds to the upper side of the optical element drive device 100, and the Z2 side of the optical element drive device 100 corresponds to the lower side of the optical element drive device 100. The same applies to other components in the other figures.

[0011] The optical element driving device 100 is a device for moving an optical element (not shown) in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, the optical element driving device 100 is configured to move a cylindrical optical element up and down, but it may also be configured to move optical elements of other shapes, such as a rectangular parallelepiped, up and down. The optical element is, for example, a lens body, a mirror, a prism, a diffraction grating, a light-emitting element, a light-receiving element, an image sensor, or an optical filter. The lens body is a cylindrical lens barrel equipped with at least one lens. In the illustrated example, the optical element is a lens body. Therefore, in the following, the upper side of the optical element driving device 100 may be referred to as the "subject side," the lower side of the optical element driving device 100 may be referred to as the "image sensor side," and the vertical direction may be referred to as the "optical axis direction." Note that the "optical axis direction" includes the direction of the optical axis OA with respect to the lens body, and the direction parallel to the optical axis OA.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the optical element driving device 100 includes a cover member 1, a frame member 2, an upper plate spring 3, a movable-side magnetic member 4, an optical element holding member 5, a lower plate spring 6, a coil 7, a fixed-side magnetic member 8, a base member 9, and a metal member 10. Further, the cover member 1, the frame member 2, the coil 7, the fixed-side magnetic member 8, the base member 9, and the metal member 10 constitute a fixed-side member FB, and the coil 7, the fixed-side magnetic member 8, the base member 9, and the metal member 10 constitute a lower-side member LB. Further, the cover member 1 and the base member 9 constitute a housing HS, the upper plate spring 3 and the lower plate spring 6 constitute a support member SB, the movable-side magnetic member 4 and the optical element holding member 5 constitute a movable-side member MB, and the movable-side magnetic member 4, the coil 7, the fixed-side magnetic member 8, and the metal member 10 constitute an electromagnetic mechanism DM.

[0013] The fixed-side member FB is a member that is fixedly arranged among the members constituting the optical element driving device 100. The movable-side member MB is a member that is arranged movably with respect to the fixed-side member FB among the members constituting the optical element driving device 100. The support member SB is a member that is arranged between the fixed-side member FB and the movable-side member MB so that the movable-side member MB can move with respect to the fixed-side member FB and supports the movable-side member MB. Note that the support member SB also functions as a biasing member that returns the movable-side member MB moved by the electromagnetic mechanism DM to its original position.

[0014] The cover member 1 is a member that covers other members constituting the optical element driving device 100. In the illustrated example, the cover member 1 is manufactured by performing punching and drawing on a plate material made of a non-magnetic metal such as austenitic stainless steel. Since it is formed of a non-magnetic metal, the cover member 1 does not have a magnetic adverse effect on an electromagnetic mechanism DM that uses electromagnetic force.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2, the cover member 1 has an outer shape that defines the storage portion 1S. Specifically, the cover member 1 has a substantially rectangular cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 1A and a substantially rectangular annular and flat top plate portion 1B provided so as to be continuous with the upper end (the end on the Z1 side) of the outer peripheral wall portion 1A. A substantially rectangular opening 1K is formed at the center of the top plate portion 1B. The outer peripheral wall portion 1A includes a first side plate portion 1A1 to a fourth side plate portion 1A4. The first side plate portion 1A1 and the third side plate portion 1A3 face each other, and the second side plate portion 1A2 and the fourth side plate portion 1A4 face each other. The second side plate portion 1A2 and the fourth side plate portion 1A4 extend perpendicularly to the first side plate portion 1A1 and the third side plate portion 1A3. As shown in Fig. 1, the cover member 1 is joined to the base member 9 by an adhesive and constitutes the housing HS together with the base member 9.

[0016] The frame member 2 is configured to be able to fix the upper side plate spring 3. In the illustrated example, the frame member 2 is formed by injection molding a synthetic resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP).

[0017] The upper side plate spring 3 is configured to be able to connect the fixed side member FB (frame member 2), the movable side magnetic member 4, and the optical element holding member 5. In the illustrated example, the upper side plate spring 3 has a first fixed portion 3A fixed to the fixed side member FB (frame member 2), a second fixed portion 3B fixed to the movable side magnetic member 4, a third fixed portion 3C fixed to the optical element holding member 5, and a torsion deformable connecting portion 3D connecting the second fixed portion 3B and the third fixed portion 3C. The first fixed portion 3A is located on one end side of the second fixed portion 3B, and the connecting portion 3D is located on the other end side of the second fixed portion 3B. The first fixed portion 3A includes a first left fixed portion 3AL and a first right fixed portion 3AR, the second fixed portion 3B includes a second left fixed portion 3BL and a second right fixed portion 3BR, and the connecting portion 3D includes a left connecting portion 3DL and a right connecting portion 3DR. In the illustrated example, the upper side plate spring 3 is configured to be line symmetric with respect to a straight line passing through the optical axis OA and parallel to the X axis.

[0018] The movable magnetic member 4 is one of the components constituting the electromagnetic mechanism DM, and is supported by the upper leaf spring 3 so that it can be pulled downward by the fixed magnetic member 8 when the fixed magnetic member 8 is magnetized. In the illustrated example, the movable magnetic member 4 includes two opposing portions 4F configured to face the fixed magnetic member 8 in the vertical direction, and a connecting portion 4C that connects the two opposing portions 4F. The two opposing portions 4F include a left opposing portion 4FL that extends along and is fixed to the second left fixed portion 3BL of the upper leaf spring 3, and a right opposing portion 4FR that extends along and is fixed to the second right fixed portion 3BR of the upper leaf spring 3.

[0019] The optical element holding member 5 is configured to hold an optical element. In the illustrated example, the optical element holding member 5 is formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Specifically, the optical element holding member 5 has a cylindrical portion 5C that extends in the vertical direction and a protruding portion 5P that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 5C. An opening 5K into which the optical element is fitted is formed in the cylindrical portion 5C. The optical element is fixed, for example, to the inner circumferential surface of the opening 5K with an adhesive.

[0020] Here, referring to Figures 3 and 4, the connection relationships between the frame member 2, the upper leaf spring 3, the movable magnetic member 4, and the optical element holding member 5 will be explained. Figure 3 is a downward perspective view of the frame member 2. Figure 4 is a top view of the frame member 2, the upper leaf spring 3, the movable magnetic member 4, and the optical element holding member 5. In Figure 4, the frame member 2 is represented by a dashed line for clarity.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the frame member 2 includes two round, convex protrusions 2T and two rectangular, convex stopper portions 2S that project downward (in the Z2 direction) from the end face on the image sensor side (Z2 side).

[0022] The protruding portion 2T includes a left-side protruding portion 2TL corresponding to the first left-side fixing portion 3AL of the upper leaf spring 3, and a right-side protruding portion 2TR corresponding to the first right-side fixing portion 3AR of the upper leaf spring 3. Fixation between the frame member 2 and the upper leaf spring 3 is achieved by heat-crimping the protruding portion 2T, which is inserted through the first through-hole 3H1 (see Figure 4) formed in the first fixing portion 3A. Specifically, the fixation between the frame member 2 and the upper leaf spring 3 is achieved by heat-crimping the left-side protruding portion 2TL, which is inserted through the first left-side through-hole 3H1L (see Figure 4) formed in the first left-side fixing portion 3AL, and the right-side protruding portion 2TR, which is inserted through the first right-side through-hole 3H1R (see Figure 4) formed in the first right-side fixing portion 3AR. Note that in Figure 3, the protruding portion 2T is shown in a deformed state at the tip after heat-crimping. The same applies to the other figures.

[0023] The stopper portion 2S includes a left stopper portion 2SL corresponding to the left opposing portion 4FL of the movable magnetic member 4, and a right stopper portion 2SR corresponding to the right opposing portion 4FR of the movable magnetic member 4. The stopper portion 2S is configured to contact the upper surface of the opposing portion 4F of the movable magnetic member 4 in the initial state of the optical element driving device 100, thereby preventing further upward movement of the movable magnetic member 4. The initial state of the optical element driving device 100 refers to the state of the optical element driving device 100 when no current is flowing through the coil 7.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the second fixed portion 3B of the upper leaf spring 3 is fixed to the upper surface of the opposing portion 4F of the movable magnetic member 4. The fixing between the upper leaf spring 3 and the movable magnetic member 4 is achieved by laser welding using the second through hole 3H2 and the third through hole 3H3 formed in the second fixed portion 3B. Specifically, the fixing between the second left fixed portion 3BL of the upper leaf spring 3 and the left opposing portion 4FL of the movable magnetic member 4 is achieved by laser welding using the second left through hole 3H2L and the third left through hole 3H3L formed in the second left fixed portion 3BL. Similarly, the fixing between the second right fixed portion 3BR of the upper leaf spring 3 and the right opposing portion 4FR of the movable magnetic member 4 is achieved by laser welding using the second right through hole 3H2R and the third right through hole 3H3R formed in the second right fixed portion 3BR. The movable magnetic member 4 is formed from a magnetic metal plate.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the third fixing portion 3C of the upper leaf spring 3 is fixed to the upper surface of the protruding portion 5P of the optical element holding member 5. Fixation between the upper leaf spring 3 and the optical element holding member 5 is achieved by applying adhesive to each of the four fourth through holes 3H4 formed in the third fixing portion 3C while the annularly formed third fixing portion 3C is placed on the upper surface of the protruding portion 5P. Alternatively, the fixation between the upper leaf spring 3 and the optical element holding member 5 may be achieved by heat scribing, similar to the fixation between the frame member 2 and the upper leaf spring 3. In this case, four round, convex protrusions projecting upward (in the Z1 direction) may be formed on the upper surface of the protruding portion 5P of the optical element holding member 5.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the lower leaf spring 6 is configured to connect the optical element holding member 5 and the base member 9. In the illustrated example, the lower leaf spring 6 includes an annular inner portion 6I fixed to the optical element holding member 5 as the movable side member MB, four outer portions 6E fixed to the base member 9 as the fixed side member FB, and four elastic arm portions 6G located between the inner portion 6I and each of the four outer portions 6E. In the illustrated example, the lower leaf spring 6 is configured to be rotationally symmetrical twice with respect to the optical axis OA. The inner portion 6I of the lower leaf spring 6 is fixed to the lower surface of the protruding portion 5P of the optical element holding member 5 by adhesive.

[0027] The lower member LB is a combination of fixed-side members FB positioned below the movable-side member MB, and as shown in Figure 2, includes a coil 7, a fixed-side magnetic member 8, a base member 9, and a metal member 10.

[0028] Now, with reference to Figure 5, the details of the lower member LB will be explained. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the lower member LB.

[0029] The coil 7 is a component fixed to the fixed magnetic member 8. In the example shown in Figure 5, the coil 7 is a wound-type coil and includes a left coil 7L and a right coil 7R.

[0030] The fixed magnetic member 8 is configured to be fixed to the upper surface of the base member 9. In the illustrated example, the fixed magnetic member 8 includes two iron core portions 8W configured to face the movable magnetic member 4 in the vertical direction, and a base portion 8C connecting the two iron core portions 8W. The fixed magnetic member 8 is formed by bending a single metal plate. The two iron core portions 8W include a left iron core portion 8WL extending upward from the left end of the base portion 8C toward the left opposing portion 4FL of the movable magnetic member 4, and a right iron core portion 8WR extending upward from the right end of the base portion 8C toward the right opposing portion 4FR of the movable magnetic member 4. A left coil 7L is arranged around the left iron core portion 8WL, and a right coil 7R is arranged around the right iron core portion 8WR. An opening is formed in the center of the base portion 8C that can receive the lower end of the optical element holding member 5.

[0031] The base member 9 is configured to secure the lower leaf spring 6 and the fixed magnetic member 8. In the illustrated example, the base member 9 is formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP).

[0032] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the base member 9 is a rectangular annular member in top view having an opening 9K in the center, and includes four rectangular convex columnar parts 9P projecting upward from the four corners, four round convex protrusions 9Q projecting upward from the end face on the subject side, and a pair of stopper parts 9W extending upward opposite each other on either side of the opening 9K. The base member 9 also includes four round convex protrusions 9T projecting upward from each end face of the four columnar parts 9P.

[0033] The columnar portion 9P is a part for supporting the lower leaf spring 6. In the illustrated example, the columnar portion 9P is configured so that its end face can support the outer portion 6E of the lower leaf spring 6.

[0034] The protruding portion 9Q is the part used to fix the fixed magnetic member 8 to the base member 9. The fixing between the fixed magnetic member 8 and the base member 9 is achieved by heat-crimping the four protruding portions 9Q, which are inserted into four through holes 8H formed in the base portion 8C of the fixed magnetic member 8. In Figure 5, the protruding portions 9Q are shown in a deformed state at the tip after heat-crimping. The same applies to the other figures.

[0035] The protruding portion 9T is the part used to fix the lower leaf spring 6 to the base member 9. The fixing between the lower leaf spring 6 and the base member 9 is achieved by heat-crimping the protruding portion 9T, which is inserted through a through hole (see Figure 2) formed in the outer portion 6E of the lower leaf spring 6. In Figure 5, the protruding portion 9T is shown in a deformed state at the tip after heat-crimping. The same applies to the other figures.

[0036] The stopper portion 9W includes a left stopper portion 9WL corresponding to the left opposing portion 4FL of the movable magnetic member 4, and a right stopper portion 9WR corresponding to the right opposing portion 4FR of the movable magnetic member 4. The stopper portion 9W is configured to contact the lower surface of the opposing portion 4F of the movable magnetic member 4 when current is supplied to the coil 7 and the movable magnetic member 4 is attracted to the fixed magnetic member 8, thereby stopping the further downward movement of the movable magnetic member 4. The stopper portion 9W is configured to prevent the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8 from coming into contact by stopping the further downward movement of the movable magnetic member 4.

[0037] The metal member 10 functions as a conductive path for supplying current to the coil 7. In the illustrated example, the metal member 10 is embedded in the base member 9 by insert molding. Specifically, the metal member 10 includes a first metal member 10A, a second metal member 10B, and a third metal member 10C. The metal member 10 may also be fixed to the surface of the base member 9.

[0038] The first metal member 10A includes a first terminal portion 10AT used for connection to the outside and a first connection portion 10AP connected to one end of the right coil 7R via solder SD.

[0039] The second metal member 10B includes a second terminal portion 10BT used for connection to the outside and a second connection portion 10BP connected to the other end of the left coil 7L via solder SD.

[0040] The third metal member 10C includes a third right-side connector 10CPR connected to the other end of the right-side coil 7R via solder SD, and a third left-side connector 10CPL connected to one end of the left-side coil 7L via solder SD.

[0041] In this configuration, the left coil 7L and the right coil 7R are connected in series. The coils 7 are configured such that when current flows, the tip of the left core 8WL and the tip of the right core 8WR have opposite magnetic poles. In the illustrated example, when current is supplied to the coils 7, the left coil 7L is positioned around the left core 8WL such that the tip of the left core 8WL becomes the north pole, and the direction of current flow in a top view is counterclockwise. The right coil 7R is positioned around the right core 8WR such that the tip of the right core 8WR becomes the south pole, and the direction of current flow in a top view is clockwise.

[0042] The electromagnetic mechanism DM is a mechanism for electromagnetically moving the movable side member MB, which is supported by the support member SB, along the optical axis direction. In the illustrated example, the electromagnetic mechanism DM consists of a movable side magnetic member 4, a coil 7, a fixed side magnetic member 8, and a metal member 10. Specifically, the electromagnetic mechanism DM includes a pair of electromagnetic mechanisms (first electromagnetic mechanism DM1 and second electromagnetic mechanism DM2) that are provided facing each other across the opening 5K of the optical element holding member 5.

[0043] The first electromagnetic mechanism DM1 includes the left opposing portion 4FL of the movable magnetic member 4, which is welded to the lower surface of the second left fixed portion 3BL of the upper leaf spring 3, and the left iron core portion 8WL of the fixed magnetic member 8, which has a left coil 7L arranged around it.

[0044] The second electromagnetic mechanism DM2 includes the right opposing portion 4FR of the movable magnetic member 4, which is welded to the lower surface of the second right fixed portion 3BR of the upper leaf spring 3, and the right iron core portion 8WR of the fixed magnetic member 8, which has the right coil 7R arranged around it.

[0045] The optical element driving device 100, which has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, is mounted, for example, on a main substrate (not shown). The coil 7 is connected to a current supply source via a metal member 10 and the main substrate. When current flows through the coil 7, the electromagnetic mechanism DM generates an electromagnetic force along the optical axis.

[0046] When the optical element is a lens body, the optical element driving device 100 can switch between macro photography and normal photography by using the electromagnetic force along the optical axis direction provided by the electromagnetic mechanism DM to move the lens body as an optical element along the optical axis direction.

[0047] Next, referring to Figure 6, the positional relationship between the upper leaf spring 3 and the movable magnetic member 4, the iron core portion 8W of the fixed magnetic member 8, and the stopper portion 9W of the base member 9 will be explained. Figure 6 is a top view of the optical element driving device 100. Specifically, the upper part of Figure 6 is a top view of the optical element driving device 100 with the cover member 1 and frame member 2 removed, and the lower part of Figure 6 is a top view of the optical element driving device 100 with the upper leaf spring 3 and movable magnetic member 4 further removed. In the lower part of Figure 6, the position where the upper leaf spring 3 was attached is shown by a dotted line, and the position where the movable magnetic member 4 was attached is shown by a dashed line.

[0048] As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 6, the left opposing portion 4FL of the movable magnetic member 4 is positioned to cover the respective tips of the left core portion 8WL of the fixed magnetic member 8 and the left stopper portion 9WL of the base member 9. The right opposing portion 4FR of the movable magnetic member 4 is also positioned to cover the respective tips of the right core portion 8WR of the fixed magnetic member 8 and the right stopper portion 9WR of the base member 9. The tip surface of the left stopper portion 9WL is higher than the tip surface of the left core portion 8WL, and the tip surface of the right stopper portion 9WR is higher than the tip surface of the right core portion 8WR.

[0049] In this configuration, when current flows through the left coil 7L, the left opposing part 4FL is pulled downward by the left core part 8WL, but it contacts the left stopper part 9WL before contacting the left core part 8WL. Therefore, the left opposing part 4FL never contacts the left core part 8WL. The same applies to the right opposing part 4FR.

[0050] Furthermore, the second left-side fixing portion 3BL of the upper leaf spring 3 is welded to the upper surface of the left-side opposing portion 4FL of the movable magnetic member 4, while positioned directly above the left-side stopper portion 9WL of the base member 9, which is closer to the optical element holding member 5 than the left-side core portion 8WL of the fixed-side magnetic member 8. In other words, the second left-side fixing portion 3BL is not positioned directly above the left-side core portion 8WL. Also, in the Y-axis direction, the width of the second left-side fixing portion 3BL is approximately the same as the width of the left-side stopper portion 9WL. The same applies to the second right-side fixing portion 3BR of the upper leaf spring 3.

[0051] Next, referring to Figures 7 to 10, the state of each component when the optical element holding member 5 is displaced from the first position to the second position will be described. In the illustrated example, the first position of the optical element holding member 5 is the position of the optical element holding member 5 when the optical element driving device 100 is in its initial state, that is, when no current is flowing through the coil 7. The second position of the optical element holding member 5 is the position of the optical element holding member 5 when current is flowing through the coil 7.

[0052] Figure 7 is a right side view of the optical element drive device 100 with the cover member 1 removed. Specifically, the upper part of Figure 7 is a right side view of the optical element drive device 100 when the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position. The lower part of Figure 7 is a right side view of the optical element drive device 100 when the optical element holding member 5 is in the second position. The center part of Figure 7 is a right side view of the optical element drive device 100 when the optical element holding member 5 is in an intermediate position between the first and second positions. Note that in Figure 7, for clarity, a fine dot pattern is applied to the movable magnetic member 4 and a coarse dot pattern is applied to the fixed magnetic member 8.

[0053] Figure 8 is a right side view of the optical element driving device 100 with the coil 7 and the fixed magnetic member 8 removed. Specifically, the upper part of Figure 8 is a right side view of the optical element driving device 100 when the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position, the lower part of Figure 8 is a right side view of the optical element driving device 100 when the optical element holding member 5 is in the second position, and the center part of Figure 8 is a right side view of the optical element driving device 100 when the optical element holding member 5 is in the intermediate position. In Figure 8, for clarity, a fine dot pattern is applied to the movable magnetic member 4, and a coarse dot pattern is applied to the right stopper portion 9WR of the base member 9.

[0054] Figure 9 is a right side view of the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8. Specifically, the upper part of Figure 9 is a right side view of the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8 when the optical element holding member 5 (not shown) is in the first position, the lower part of Figure 9 is a right side view of the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8 when the optical element holding member 5 (not shown) is in the second position, and the center part of Figure 9 is a right side view of the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8 when the optical element holding member 5 (not shown) is in the intermediate position.

[0055] Figure 10 is a right side view of the upper leaf spring 3 and the optical element holding member 5. Specifically, the top view in Figure 10 is a right side view of the upper leaf spring 3 and the optical element holding member 5 when the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position, the bottom view in Figure 9 is a right side view of the upper leaf spring 3 and the optical element holding member 5 when the optical element holding member 5 is in the second position, and the center view in Figure 9 is a right side view of the upper leaf spring 3 and the optical element holding member 5 when the optical element holding member 5 is in the intermediate position.

[0056] The following explanation, referring to Figures 7 to 10, mainly concerns the relationship between the second right-side fixed portion 3BR of the upper leaf spring 3, the right-side opposing portion 4FR of the movable magnetic member 4, and the right-side core portion 8WR of the fixed magnetic member 8. However, it also applies similarly to the relationship between the second left-side fixed portion 3BL of the upper leaf spring 3, the left-side opposing portion 4FL of the movable magnetic member 4, and the left-side core portion 8WL of the fixed magnetic member 8.

[0057] When the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position, the right-side opposing portion 4FR of the movable magnetic member 4 does not contact the right-side stopper portion 9WR of the base member 9, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 8. However, when the optical element holding member 5 is in the intermediate position, the lower surface of the right-side opposing portion 4FR contacts the rear end portion of the tip surface of the right-side stopper portion 9WR (see the area enclosed by the dotted circle), as shown in the middle diagram of Figure 8. Furthermore, when the optical element holding member 5 is in the second position, the lower surface of the right-side opposing portion 4FR contacts the entire tip surface of the right-side stopper portion 9WR (see the area enclosed by the dotted circle), as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 8. However, when the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position, the right-side opposing portion 4FR of the movable magnetic member 4 may be in contact with a part of the right-side stopper portion 9WR (the rear end portion of the tip surface). Note that the tip surface of the right-side stopper portion 9WR is configured to form an angle θ1 with respect to a plane parallel to the XY plane, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 8.

[0058] Furthermore, when the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position, the right opposing portion 4FR does not contact the tip surface of the right core portion 8WR of the fixed magnetic member 8, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 9. Similarly, when the optical element holding member 5 is in the intermediate position, the right opposing portion 4FR does not contact the tip surface of the right core portion 8WR, as shown in the middle diagram of Figure 9. Moreover, when the optical element holding member 5 is in the second position, the right opposing portion 4FR does not contact the tip surface of the right core portion 8WR, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 9. The tip surface of the right core portion 8WR is configured to form an angle θ2 with respect to a plane parallel to the XY plane, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 9. In the illustrated example, angle θ2 is set to be the same size as angle θ1.

[0059] In other words, the right stopper portion 9WR is configured to prevent the right opposing portion 4FR and the right core portion 8WR from coming into contact when the optical element holding member 5 moves from the first position to the second position. If the right opposing portion 4FR and the right core portion 8WR come into contact while the optical element holding member 5 is moving from the first position to the second position, a magnetic path will be formed at the contact point, and the magnetic flux passing through the space between the right opposing portion 4FR and the right core portion 8WR will decrease. In other words, the magnetic attractive force that draws the other part of the right opposing portion 4FR towards the right core portion 8WR will weaken, causing the movement (oscillation) of the movable magnetic member 4 to stop.

[0060] Specifically, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 9, when the optical element holding member 5 (not shown) is in the first position, the distance G1 between the first part (rear end part) of the right opposing part 4FR and the right core part 8WR is value G1A, the distance G2 between the second part (front end part) of the right opposing part 4FR and the right core part 8WR is value G2A, and the distance G3 between the third part (central part) of the right opposing part 4FR and the right core part 8WR is value G3A. In this state, value G3A is greater than value G1A, and value G2A is greater than value G3A. In other words, in the illustrated example, the right opposing part 4FR is configured such that the distance between the right opposing part 4FR and the right core part 8WR increases continuously from the first part to the second part of the right opposing part 4FR.

[0061] As shown in the center view of Figure 9, when the optical element holding member 5 (not shown) is in the intermediate position, the interval G1 is G1B, which is smaller than the value G1A; the interval G2 is G2B, which is smaller than the value G2A; and the interval G3 is G3B, which is smaller than the value G3A. In this state, the value G3B is larger than the value G1B, and the value G2B is larger than the value G3B.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 9, when the optical element holding member 5 (not shown) is in the second position, the interval G1 is approximately the same as the value G1B (G1C), the interval G2 is smaller than the value G2B (G2C), and the interval G3 is smaller than the value G3B (G3C). Also, in this state, the values ​​G1C, G2C, and G3C are all approximately the same.

[0063] When the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position, the right-side connecting portion 3DR of the upper leaf spring 3 does not generate twisting, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 10. This is because the upper surface of the second right-side fixing portion 3BR of the upper leaf spring 3 and the upper surface of the third fixing portion 3C of the upper leaf spring 3 are approximately parallel.

[0064] When the optical element holding member 5 is in the intermediate position, the right-side connecting portion 3DR twists, as shown in the center view of Figure 10. This is because the angle α formed between the upper surface of the second right-side fixing portion 3BR and the upper surface of the third fixing portion 3C becomes a value greater than zero, α1.

[0065] Furthermore, when the optical element holding member 5 is in the second position, the right-side connecting portion 3DR generates an even larger twist, as shown in the lower part of Figure 10. This is because the angle α becomes a value α2, which is greater than the value α1.

[0066] With the configuration described above, the optical element driving device 100 is configured such that the initial distance (see value G1A in the upper part of Figure 9), which is the distance between the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8 in the first part (the rear end part of the iron core 8W) when the coil 7 is not energized, is smaller than the desired amount of movement of the optical element holding member 5 (see value G2A in the upper part of Figure 9). Furthermore, even when the coil 7 is energized and the optical element holding member 5 moves toward the second position, the optical element driving device 100 is configured such that the distance between the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8 in a part other than the first part (see value G3B in the middle part of Figure 9) is smaller than the initial distance in a different part (see value G3A in the upper part of Figure 9). Therefore, even when the desired amount of movement of the optical element holding member 5 is greater than the initial distance in the first part, this configuration can generate sufficient electromagnetic force to move the optical element holding member 5 toward the second position without excessively increasing the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil 7. In other words, this configuration can suppress an excessive increase in the current flowing through the coil 7 when moving the optical element holding member 5 by a desired amount.

[0067] Next, with reference to Figure 11, we will describe another example of the configuration of the optical element driving device according to the present invention, which is the optical element driving device 100A. Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the optical element driving device 100A and corresponds to Figure 2.

[0068] Optical element driving device 100A differs from optical element driving device 100, which has a frame member 2, an upper leaf spring 3, a movable magnetic member 4, and an optical element holding member 5, in that it has a frame member 2X, an upper leaf spring 3X, a movable magnetic member 4X, and an optical element holding member 5X.

[0069] The frame member 2X is configured to secure the upper leaf spring 3X. In the illustrated example, the frame member 2X includes four round, convex projections 2U. The projections 2U are formed to protrude upward (in the Z1 direction) from the bottom surface of recesses formed at each of the four corners of the upper surface of the frame member 2X.

[0070] The upper leaf spring 3X is configured to connect the frame member 2X and the optical element holding member 5X. In the illustrated example, the upper leaf spring 3X includes an annular inner portion 3I fixed to the optical element holding member 5X, four outer portions 3E fixed to the frame member 2X as a fixed-side member FB, and four elastic arm portions 3G located between the inner portion 3I and each of the four outer portions 3E. In the illustrated example, the upper leaf spring 3X is configured to be rotationally symmetric twice with respect to the optical axis of the lens body.

[0071] The four protrusions 2U formed on the frame member 2X correspond to each of the four outer portions 3E on the upper leaf spring 3X. The frame member 2X and the upper leaf spring 3X are fixed together by heat-crimping the protrusions 2U, which are inserted into through holes formed in each of the four outer portions 3E. In Figure 11, the protrusions 2U are shown in a deformed state at the tip after heat-crimping. The same applies to the other figures.

[0072] The movable magnetic member 4X is one of the components of the electromagnetic mechanism DM and is supported by the optical element holding member 5X so that it can be pulled downward by the fixed magnetic member 8 when the fixed magnetic member 8 is magnetized.

[0073] The optical element holding member 5X is configured to hold an optical element. In the illustrated example, the optical element holding member 5X has a cylindrical portion 5C formed to extend in the vertical direction, a protruding portion 5P projecting radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 5C, and a pair of shaft portions 5Q projecting outward parallel to the Y axis from the side surface of the protruding portion 5P. An opening 5K into which the optical element is fitted is formed in the cylindrical portion 5C. The optical element is fixed, for example, to the inner circumferential surface of the opening 5K with an adhesive. The pair of shaft portions 5Q includes a left shaft portion 5QL projecting in the Y1 direction and a right shaft portion 5QR projecting in the Y2 direction.

[0074] In the illustrated example, the movable magnetic member 4X includes two opposing portions 4F configured to face the fixed magnetic member 8 in the vertical direction, a pair of connecting portions 4G connected to a pair of shaft portions 5Q in the optical element holding member 5X so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a connecting portion 4C connecting the respective rear ends of the two opposing portions 4F. The two opposing portions 4F include a left opposing portion 4FL extending along the left core portion 8WL of the fixed magnetic member 8, and a right opposing portion 4FR extending along the right core portion 8WR of the fixed magnetic member 8. The pair of connecting portions 4G include a left connecting portion 4GL extending downward from the front end of the left opposing portion 4FL, and a right connecting portion 4GR extending downward from the front end of the right opposing portion 4FR.

[0075] The connection between the pair of shaft portions 5Q in the optical element holding member 5X and the pair of connecting portions 4G in the movable magnetic member 4X is achieved by inserting the shaft portion 5Q through the through hole 4H formed in the connecting portion 4G. Specifically, the connection between the left shaft portion 5QL and the left connecting portion 4GL is achieved by inserting the left shaft portion 5QL through the left through hole 4HL formed in the left connecting portion 4GL, and the connection between the right shaft portion 5QR and the right connecting portion 4GR is achieved by inserting the right shaft portion 5QR through the right through hole 4HR formed in the right connecting portion 4GR.

[0076] Next, referring to Figure 12, the positional relationship between the movable magnetic member 4X and the optical element holding member 5X when the optical element holding member 5X is displaced from the first position to the second position will be explained. Figure 12 is a right side view of the frame member 2X, the movable magnetic member 4X, and the optical element holding member 5X. In Figure 12, for clarity, the illustration of other members other than the frame member 2X, the movable magnetic member 4X, and the optical element holding member 5X is omitted, and the tip of the iron core portion 8W (right iron core portion 8WR) of the fixed magnetic member 8 is represented by a dashed line. Also, in Figure 12, for clarity, a fine dot pattern is applied to the movable magnetic member 4X and a coarse dot pattern is applied to the frame member 2X. Specifically, the upper part of Figure 12 is a right side view of the frame member 2X, the movable magnetic member 4X, and the optical element holding member 5X when the optical element holding member 5X is in the first position; the lower part of Figure 12 is a right side view of the frame member 2X, the movable magnetic member 4X, and the optical element holding member 5X when the optical element holding member 5X is in the second position; and the center part of Figure 12 is a right side view of the frame member 2X, the movable magnetic member 4X, and the optical element holding member 5X when the optical element holding member 5X is in an intermediate position between the first and second positions.

[0077] Furthermore, as with the optical element driving device 100 (see Figure 8), when current is supplied to the coil 7 and the movable magnetic member 4X is attracted to the fixed magnetic member 8, the lower surface of the opposing portion 4F of the movable magnetic member 4X comes into contact with the stopper portion 9W of the base member 9, preventing further downward movement of the movable magnetic member 4X. Also, as with the optical element driving device 100 (see Figure 9), the movable magnetic member 4X and the fixed magnetic member 8 do not come into contact.

[0078] As shown in the upper part of Figure 12, when the optical element holding member 5X is in the first position, the right-side opposing portion 4FR of the movable magnetic member 4X is attracted to the right-side iron core portion 8WR when current flows through the right-side coil 7R and the right-side iron core portion 8WR is magnetized. The same applies to the left-side opposing portion 4FL of the movable magnetic member 4X.

[0079] Specifically, the right-side opposing portion 4FR is tilted such that its front end (the end on the X1 side) is lower than its rear end (the end on the X2 side), as shown in the center view of Figure 12. In other words, the right-side connecting portion 4GR at the front end moves downward. This is because the rear end of the right-side opposing portion 4FR contacts the right-side stopper portion 9WR of the base member 9, as shown in the center view of Figure 8, and its downward movement is restricted. On the other hand, in the state shown in the center view of Figure 12, the front end of the right-side opposing portion 4FR does not contact the right-side stopper portion 9WR of the base member 9, as shown in the center view of Figure 8, and its downward movement is not restricted. The same applies to the left-side opposing portion 4FL of the movable magnetic member 4X.

[0080] At this time, the optical element holding member 5X moves downward in parallel without tilting. This is because the cylindrical shaft portion 5Q of the optical element holding member 5X is inserted through a circular through hole 4H formed in the descending connecting portion 4G. Specifically, as shown in Figure 12, the cylindrical right-side shaft portion 5QR protruding in the Y2 direction is inserted through a circular right-side through hole 4HR formed in the descending right-side connecting portion 4GR. That is, the right-side connecting portion 4GR descends while rotating counterclockwise around the right-side shaft portion 5QR in a right-side view. The same applies to the left-side connecting portion 4GL.

[0081] Furthermore, when the optical element holding member 5X is in the first position, the right-side stopper portion 2SR formed on the lower surface of the frame member 2X has its entire lower surface (see the area enclosed by the dotted circle) in contact with the upper surface of the right-side opposing portion 4FR of the movable magnetic member 4X, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 12. However, when the optical element holding member 5X is in the intermediate position, only the rear end portion of the lower surface of the right-side stopper portion 2SR (see the area enclosed by the dotted circle) is in contact with the upper surface of the right-side opposing portion 4FR, as shown in the middle diagram of Figure 12. Similarly, when the optical element holding member 5X is in the second position, only the rear end portion of the lower surface of the right-side stopper portion 2SR (see the area enclosed by the dotted circle) is in contact with the upper surface of the right-side opposing portion 4FR, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 12.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in the upper part of Figure 12, when the optical element holding member 5X is in the first position, the distance G11 between the first part (rear end part) of the right opposing part 4FR and the right core part 8WR is value G11A, the distance G12 between the second part (front end part) of the right opposing part 4FR and the right core part 8WR is value G12A, and the distance G13 between the third part (central part) of the right opposing part 4FR and the right core part 8WR is value G13A. Also, in this state, value G13A is greater than value G11A, and value G12A is greater than value G13A.

[0083] As shown in the center view of Figure 12, when the optical element holding member 5X is in the intermediate position, the interval G11 is G11B, which is smaller than the value G11A; the interval G12 is G12B, which is smaller than the value G12A; and the interval G13 is G13B, which is smaller than the value G13A. In this state, the value G13B is larger than the value G11B, and the value G12B is larger than the value G13B.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 12, when the optical element holding member 5X is in the second position, the interval G11 is G11C, which is smaller than the value G11B; the interval G12 is G12C, which is smaller than the value G12B; and the interval G13 is G13C, which is smaller than the value G13B. Also, in this state, the values ​​G11C, G12C, and G13C are all approximately the same.

[0085] With the configuration described above, the optical element driving device 100A, like the optical element driving device 100, can generate sufficient electromagnetic force to move the optical element holding member 5X toward the second position without excessively increasing the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil 7, even when the desired amount of movement of the optical element holding member 5X is greater than the initial gap in the first part. In other words, this configuration can suppress an excessive increase in the current flowing through the coil 7 when moving the optical element holding member 5X by the desired amount of movement.

[0086] As described above, the optical element driving device 100, as shown in Figure 2, comprises a fixed side member FB, an optical element holding member 5 having an opening 5K that penetrates vertically and allows an optical element to be placed, a support member SB that movably supports the optical element holding member 5 with respect to the fixed side member FB, a movable side magnetic member 4 connected to the optical element holding member 5, and an electromagnetic mechanism DM that moves the optical element holding member 5 from a first position to a second position in the vertical direction by using electromagnetic force to pull the opposing portion 4F of the movable side magnetic member 4, which faces the tip of the iron core 8W in the vertical direction, towards the tip of the iron core 8W. The opposing portion 4F extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction (X-axis direction) and has a first portion (rear end portion which is the X2 side end) and a second portion (front end portion which is the X1 side end) that are separated from each other in the direction of extension. Furthermore, the movable magnetic member 4 is connected to the optical element holding member 5 on the side of the second portion.

[0087] In the optical element driving device 100, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 9, when the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position, the value of the first interval G1 G1, G1A, which is the first interval between the first part (rear end part) of the opposing part 4F and the front end of the iron core part 8W in the vertical direction, is smaller than the value of the second interval G2 G2A, which is the second interval between the second part (front end part) of the opposing part 4F and the front end of the iron core part 8W in the vertical direction. Also, in the optical element driving device 100, the value of the interval G2 G2A when the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position is larger than the value of the interval G2 G2C when the optical element holding member 5 is in the second position, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 9.

[0088] Specifically, the electromagnetic mechanism DM has a fixed magnetic member 8 having an iron core 8W and a coil 7 wound around the iron core 8W. The mechanism is configured to move the optical element holding member 5 from a first position to a second position in the vertical direction by using electromagnetic force to attract the opposing portion 4F of the movable magnetic member 4 facing the iron core 8W toward the iron core 8W.

[0089] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the iron core portion 8W faces the opposing portion 4F of the movable magnetic member 4 in the vertical direction and has a tip portion that extends substantially in the X-axis direction along the opposing portion 4F.

[0090] Furthermore, the opposing portion 4F has a first portion (the rear end portion which is the end on the X2 side) and a second portion (the front end portion which is the end on the X1 side) that are separated from each other in its extending direction (X-axis direction), and a third portion (intermediate portion) located between the first portion and the second portion.

[0091] Furthermore, in the first section, the distance between the tip of the iron core 8W in the vertical direction is smaller than in the third section, while in the second section, the distance between the tip of the iron core 8W in the vertical direction is larger than in the third section.

[0092] The movable magnetic member 4 is connected to the optical element holding member 5 on the side of the second portion (X1 side). Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the movable magnetic member 4 is connected to the optical element holding member 5 on the side of the second portion (X1 side) via the connecting portion 3D of the upper leaf spring 3. In other words, the movable magnetic member 4 and the optical element holding member 5 do not come into direct contact.

[0093] As current is supplied to the coil 7, the opposing portion 4F of the movable magnetic member 4 is drawn towards the tip of the iron core 8W, reducing the distance between the second and third portions and the tip of the iron core 8W, and the optical element holding member 5 moves towards the second position.

[0094] Thus, the optical element driving device 100 is configured such that the initial distance between the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8 in the first part (the rear end portion of the iron core 8W) in the initial state when the coil 7 is not energized is smaller than the desired amount of movement of the optical element holding member 5. Furthermore, even while the optical element driving device 100 is energized and the optical element holding member 5 is moving toward the second position, the distance between the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8 in a part other than the first part is configured to be smaller than the initial distance. The position of the part where the distance is smaller than the initial distance gradually moves forward. Therefore, this configuration can generate sufficient electromagnetic force to move the optical element holding member 5 toward the second position without excessively increasing the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil 7, even when the desired amount of movement of the optical element holding member 5 is greater than the initial distance. In other words, this configuration can suppress an excessive increase in the current flowing through the coil 7 when moving the optical element holding member 5 by the desired amount of movement.

[0095] Furthermore, the optical element driving device 100 may be configured such that, when the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position, the vertical distance between the tip of the iron core 8W and the opposing portion 4F of the movable magnetic member 4 increases from the first portion (the end on the X2 side) to the second portion (the end on the X1 side) of the opposing portion 4F, which extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction (the X-axis direction), as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 9.

[0096] This configuration has the effect of easily realizing reliable and stable movement of the movable magnetic member 4, such that when current is supplied to the coil 7 and the optical element holding member 5 moves toward the second position, the gap between the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8 in a part other than the first part becomes smaller than the initial gap. Furthermore, in the configuration shown in Figure 9, the position of the part where the gap becomes smaller than the initial gap moves forward (in the X1 direction) as the optical element holding member 5 descends. That is, the width of the part where the gap is smaller than the initial gap widens forward (in the X1 direction) as the optical element holding member 5 descends.

[0097] Furthermore, in the optical element driving device 100, the tip of the iron core 8W and the opposing part 4F of the movable magnetic member 4 are separated as the optical element holding member 5 moves from the first position (see upper diagram in Figure 9) to the second position (see lower diagram in Figure 9).

[0098] This configuration has the effect of reliably moving the optical element holding member 5 to the second position. If the opposing part 4F and the iron core part 8W come into contact before the optical element holding member 5 reaches the second position, a magnetic path will be formed at the contact point, and magnetic attraction will not act in other parts (non-contact parts where the opposing part 4F and the iron core part 8W face each other with a short gap in between).

[0099] Furthermore, the base member 9, which serves as the fixed-side member FB, may have a stopper portion 9W as a first stopper portion that restricts the movement of the movable-side magnetic member 4 in the vertical direction, which is the direction in which the optical element holding member 5 moves from the first position to the second position, as shown in Figure 8.

[0100] This configuration has the effect of reliably preventing contact between the opposing part 4F and the iron core part 8W.

[0101] Furthermore, the end face of the tip of the iron core 8W may be inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 9. In the example shown in Figure 9, the end face of the tip of the iron core 8W is inclined by an angle θ2 with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0102] This configuration has the effect of making it easier to achieve reliable and stable movement of the movable magnetic member 4, such that when current is supplied to the coil 7 and the optical element holding member 5 moves toward the second position, the gap between the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8 in a part other than the first part becomes smaller than the initial gap.

[0103] Furthermore, the frame member 2, which serves as the fixed-side member FB, may have a stopper portion 2S, which serves as the second stopper portion. The first position of the optical element holding member 5 may be determined by the stopper portion 2S. Specifically, the first position of the optical element holding member 5 may be determined as the position when the upper surface of the movable-side magnetic member 4 is in contact with the lower surface of the stopper portion 2S of the frame member 2, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 8.

[0104] This configuration has the effect of allowing the initial position (first position) of the optical element holding member 5 to be determined with high precision.

[0105] Furthermore, the electromagnetic mechanism DM may include a first electromagnetic mechanism DM1 and a second electromagnetic mechanism DM2, which are provided on either side of the opening 5K of the optical element holding member 5, as shown in Figure 2. This configuration has the effect of stabilizing the movement of the optical element holding member 5.

[0106] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the fixed magnetic member 8 may be formed from a magnetic metal plate and may have a left core portion 8WL as a first core portion, a right core portion 8WR as a second core portion, and a base portion 8C connecting the left core portion 8WL and the right core portion 8WR. In this case, the left core portion 8WL extends from the left end of the base portion 8C toward the movable magnetic member side (upper side), and the right core portion 8WR extends from the right end of the base portion 8C toward the movable magnetic member side (upper side). Also, the left coil 7L as a first coil wound around the left core portion 8WL and the right coil 7R as a second coil wound around the right core portion 8WR are connected in series. Furthermore, the fixed magnetic member 8 is configured such that when current flows through the coils 7 (left coil 7L and right coil 7R), the tip of the left core portion 8WL and the tip of the right core portion 8WR have different magnetic poles.

[0107] This configuration has the effect of increasing the magnetic force acting between the movable magnetic member 4 and the fixed magnetic member 8 compared to the case where the tip of the left core 8WL and the tip of the right core 8WR have the same magnetic pole.

[0108] Furthermore, the movable magnetic member 4 and the optical element holding member 5 may be connected via a leaf spring (upper leaf spring 3), as shown in Figure 4.

[0109] This configuration has the effect of making the movement (oscillation) of the movable magnetic member 4 relative to the optical element holding member 5 smooth and free of rattle. This is because this configuration allows the movable magnetic member 4 to be operated (oscillated) relative to the optical element holding member 5 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the upper leaf spring 3.

[0110] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the upper leaf spring 3 may have a first fixed portion 3A fixed to the fixed side member FB (frame member 2), a second fixed portion 3B extending forward (in the X1 direction) from the first fixed portion 3A along the opposing portion 4F of the movable side magnetic member 4 and fixed to the movable side magnetic member 4, a third fixed portion 3C fixed to the optical element holding member 5, and a torsionally deformable connecting portion 3D connecting the second fixed portion 3B and the third fixed portion 3C. In this case, the first fixed portion 3A is located on one end side (the X2 side end) of the second fixed portion 3B, and the connecting portion 3D is located on the other end side (the X1 side end) of the second fixed portion 3B.

[0111] This configuration has the effect of making the movement (oscillation) of the movable magnetic member 4 relative to the optical element holder member 5 smooth and free of rattle. This is because this configuration allows the movable magnetic member 4 to move (oscillate) relative to the optical element holder member 5 by utilizing the torsional deformation of the connecting portion 3D of the upper leaf spring 3. In the example shown in Figure 4, the upper leaf spring 3 also functions as a support member SB that supports the optical element holder member 5.

[0112] Furthermore, the movable magnetic member 4X and the optical element holding member 5X may be connected by a through hole 4H formed in a connecting portion 4G of the movable magnetic member 4X, which is located closer to the second portion (the front end portion on the X1 side) than to the first portion (the rear end portion on the X2 side) of the opposing portion 4F of the movable magnetic member 4X, and a shaft portion 5Q provided in the optical element holding member 5X and inserted into the through hole 4H.

[0113] This configuration has the effect of making the movement (oscillation) of the movable magnetic member 4X relative to the optical element holding member 5X smooth and free of rattle. This is because this configuration allows the movable magnetic member 4X to be operated (oscillated) relative to the optical element holding member 5X by utilizing the combination of the circular through hole 4H formed in the connecting part 4G and the cylindrical shaft part 5Q.

[0114] Furthermore, the movable magnetic member 4 may be formed from a magnetic metal plate. This configuration has the effect of facilitating the manufacture of the movable magnetic member 4. In this configuration, the movable magnetic member 4 is formed, for example, by bending, punching, or drawing a metal plate.

[0115] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications and substitutions can be applied to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, each of the features described with reference to the embodiments described above may be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not conflict technically.

[0116] For example, in the embodiment described above, the tip of the iron core 8W is configured such that its end face is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 9, but it may also be configured such that its end face is parallel to a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The same applies to the stopper portion 9W of the base member 9. In this case, the opposing portion 4F of the movable magnetic member 4 may be configured such that its lower surface is inclined with respect to the tip surface of the iron core 8W. Specifically, when the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position, the opposing portion 4F may be configured such that the distance between the rear end portion of its lower surface and the tip surface of the iron core 8W is smaller than the distance between the front end portion of its lower surface and the tip surface of the iron core 8W.

[0117] Furthermore, although the iron core portion 8W is configured such that most of its inclined tip surface is straight when viewed from the right side, it may also be configured such that most of its tip surface is curved when viewed from the right side, or it may be configured such that its tip surface is stepped. The same applies to the stopper portion 9W of the base member 9. If the tip surface of the iron core portion 8W is stepped, the opposing portion 4F of the movable magnetic member 4 may be configured to have a stepped shape corresponding to the stepped shape of the iron core portion 8W.

[0118] Furthermore, the core portion 8W is configured such that the middle portion of its front end is higher than the front end, and the rear end of its front end is higher than the middle portion, but it may also be configured such that the middle portion of its front end is lower than the front end, and the rear end of its front end is lower than the middle portion. Alternatively, the core portion 8W may be configured such that the middle portion of its front end is higher than either the front end or the rear end, or the middle portion of its front end is lower than either the front end or the rear end. In addition, the core portion 8W may be configured such that the height of the front end and the height of the rear end are the same.

[0119] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the movable magnetic member 4 is configured such that, when the optical element holding member 5 is in the first position, the distance between the opposing portion 4F and the iron core portion 8W increases continuously from the rear end portion to the front end portion of the opposing portion 4F. However, the movable magnetic member 4 may be configured such that the distance increases in a stepwise (discontinuous) manner from the rear end portion to the front end portion of the opposing portion 4F. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0120] 1. Cover section 1A. Outer perimeter wall 1A1. First side panel 1A2. Second side panel 1A3. Third side panel 1A4. Fourth side panel 1B. Top panel 1K. Opening 2. 2X. Bracket section 2S. Stopper section 2SL. Left stopper section 2SR. Right stopper section 2T. Protruding section 2TL. Left protruding section 2TR. Right protruding section 2U. Protruding section 3. 3X. Upper side panel 3A. First fixing part 3AL. First left fixing part 3AR. First right fixing part 3B. Second fixing part 3BL. ··Second left fixed part 3BR···Second right fixed part 3C···Third fixed part 3D···Connecting part 3DL···Left connecting part 3DR···Right connecting part 3E···Outer part 3G···Elastic wrist part 3H1···First through hole 3H1L···First left through hole 3H1R···First right through hole 3H2···Second through hole 3H2L···Second left through hole 3H2R···Second right through hole 3H3···Third through hole 3H3L···Third left through hole 3H3R···Third right through hole 3H4···Fourth through hole 3I···Inner part 4, 4X· • Movable magnetic component 4C • Joint 4F • Opposite part 4FL • Left opposite part 4FR • Right opposite part 4G • Connection 4GL • Left connection 4GR • Right connection 4H • Through hole 4HL • Left through hole 4HR • Right through hole 5, 5X • Optical element holding component 5C • Cylindrical part 5K • Opening 5P • Protrusion 5Q • Shaft 5QL • Left shaft 5QR • Right shaft 6 • Lower side plate 6E • Outer part 6G • Elastic wrist 6I • Inner part 7 • Coil 7L • Left coil 7R ···Right side コイル8···Fixed side magnetic member 8C···Base 8H···Through hole 8W···Iron core 8WL···Left iron core 8WR· ··Right iron core part 9···Tower material 9K···Opening 9P···Pillar parts 9Q, 9T···Protruding part 9W···Stop part 9WL·· ·Left side part 9WR···Right side part 10···Metal member 10A···First metal member 10AP···First connection part 10A T... 1st terminal part 10B... 2nd metal member 10BP... 2nd connection part 10BT... 2nd terminal part 10C... 3rd metal member10CPL...Third left connection part 10CPR...Third right connection part 100, 100A...Optical element driving device DM...Electromagnetic mechanism DM1...First electromagnetic mechanism DM2...Second electromagnetic mechanism FB...Fixed side member HS...Housing LB...Lower side member MB...Movable side member OA...Optical axis SB...Support member SD...Solder

Claims

1. Fixed side member and An optical element holding member having an opening that penetrates vertically and into which an optical element can be placed, A support member that movably supports the optical element holding member with respect to the fixed side member, A movable magnetic member connected to the optical element holding member, An optical element driving device comprising: a fixed magnetic member having an iron core and a coil wound around the iron core, and an electromagnetic mechanism that moves the optical element holding member from a first position to a second position in the vertical direction by electromagnetic force pulling the opposing portion of the movable magnetic member, which is facing the tip of the iron core in the vertical direction, toward the tip of the iron core, The opposing portion extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and has a first portion and a second portion that are separated from each other in that extending direction. The movable magnetic member is connected to the optical element holding member on the side of the second portion. When the optical element holding member is in the first position, the first distance between the first portion and the tip of the opposing portion in the vertical direction is smaller than the second distance between the second portion and the tip of the opposing portion in the vertical direction. The second spacing when the optical element holding member is in the first position is greater than the second spacing when the optical element holding member is in the second position. An optical element driving device characterized by the following:

2. When the optical element holding member is in the first position, the vertical distance between the tip of the iron core and the opposing portion of the movable magnetic member increases from the first portion to the second portion of the opposing portion that extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The optical element driving device according to claim 1.

3. As the optical element holding member moves from the first position to the second position, the tip of the iron core and the opposing portion of the movable magnetic member are separated. The optical element driving device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The fixed-side member has a first stopper portion that restricts the movement of the movable-side magnetic member in the direction from the first position to the second position of the optical element holding member. The optical element driving device according to claim 3.

5. The end face of the tip of the iron core is inclined with respect to the plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. An optical element driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The fixed side member has a second stopper portion, The first position of the optical element holding member is determined by the second stopper portion. An optical element driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The electromagnetic mechanism includes a first electromagnetic mechanism and a second electromagnetic mechanism provided on either side of the opening of the optical element holding member. An optical element driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The fixed magnetic member is formed of a magnetic metal plate and has a first core portion, a second core portion, and a base portion connecting the first core portion and the second core portion. The first iron core extends from the base toward the movable magnetic member, The second iron core extends from the base toward the movable magnetic member, The first coil wound around the first iron core and the second coil wound around the second iron core are connected in series. The fixed magnetic member is configured such that when current flows through the first coil and the second coil, the tip of the first core and the tip of the second core become opposite magnetic poles. The optical element driving device according to claim 7.

9. The movable magnetic member and the optical element holding member are connected via a leaf spring. An optical element driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The leaf spring has a first fixed portion fixed to the fixed side member, a second fixed portion extending from the first fixed portion along the opposing portion of the movable side magnetic member and fixed to the movable side magnetic member, a third fixed portion fixed to the optical element holding member, and a torsionally deformable connecting portion connecting the second fixed portion and the third fixed portion. The first fixing portion is located on one end side of the second fixing portion, The aforementioned connecting portion is located on the other end side of the second fixed portion, The optical element driving device according to claim 9.

11. The movable magnetic member and the optical element holding member are connected by a through hole formed in a connecting portion of the movable magnetic member that is closer to the second portion than the first portion of the opposing portion, and a shaft portion provided in the optical element holding member that is inserted into the through hole. An optical element driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. The movable magnetic member is formed from a magnetic metal plate. An optical element driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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