Blade drive device

Abstract

A blade drive device (101) comprises: a rotary member (3); a plurality of blade members (2) that revolve in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary member (3); and a drive mechanism (DM) that rotates the rotary member (3). The size of an aperture (AP) formed by the plurality of blade members (2) changes by each of the plurality of blade members (2) revolving with the rotation of the rotary member (3). The drive mechanism (DM) is configured so as to have a shape-memory alloy wire (SA) and a drive body (7) capable of pivoting. The drive body (7) has a movable-side wire fixing part (7W) for fixing one end of the shape-memory alloy wire (SA), and an action part (7P) for rotating the rotary member (3). The distance (DS1) between the pivot center (PC) of the drive body (7) and the action part (7P) is greater than the distance (DS2) between the pivot center (PC) and the movable-side wire fixing part (7W).

Description

Blade drive device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a blade drive device.

[0002] A blade drive device has been known in the past that uses a shape memory alloy wire to rotate a ring member (rotating member) to operate multiple blades, thereby changing the diameter of an aperture opening formed by the multiple blades (see Patent Document 1). In this device, the shape memory alloy wire is configured to have inner and outer peripheral portions extending along the circumferential direction of the ring member, and a folded portion connecting the inner and outer peripheral portions.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-148842

[0004] However, the above-described device requires a long shape memory alloy wire with folded portions to achieve the desired amount of rotation of the ring member.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a blade drive device that can shorten the length of the shape memory alloy wire for rotating the rotary member.

[0006] A blade drive device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a fixed side member, a rotating member rotatable relative to the fixed side member, a plurality of blade members rotatably supported on the fixed side member and rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member, and a drive mechanism for rotating the rotating member, wherein the size of the opening formed by the plurality of blade members changes as each of the plurality of blade members rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member, and the drive mechanism is configured with a shape memory alloy wire and a oscillating drive body, and the drive body has a movable side wire fixing portion that fixes one end of the shape memory alloy wire and an action portion for rotating the rotating member, and the distance between the oscillation center of the drive body and the action portion is greater than the distance between the oscillation center and the movable side wire fixing portion.

[0007] The above-described blade driving device can shorten the length of the shape memory alloy wire.

[0008] 1 is an upper perspective view of a blade drive device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the blade drive device; FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a cover member and a blade member; FIG. 4 is a top view of a blade member and a rotating member; FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the blade drive device; FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a rotating member, a return spring, an intermediate member, a conductive member, and a drive mechanism; FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view and a bottom perspective view of the conductive member and the drive mechanism; FIG. 8 is a top view and a bottom view of the intermediate member; FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a blade member, a rotating member, and a drive mechanism; FIG. 10 is a top view and a bottom view of a return mechanism; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a lens body and a blade drive device; FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a blade drive device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a blade drive device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] A blade drive device 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the blade drive device 101 that functions as a variable diaphragm device. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the blade drive device 101 when the diaphragm opening AP formed by six blade members 2 is in a maximum open state, and the center and bottom views of FIG. 1 are top perspective views of the blade drive device 101 when the diaphragm opening AP is in a minimum open state. Furthermore, the bottom view of FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the blade drive device 101 attached to a lens body LS. Note that in FIG. 1, a dot pattern is added to the opening AP for clarity.

[0010] In Fig. 1, X1 represents one direction of the X axis constituting the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and X2 represents the other direction of the X axis. Furthermore, Y1 represents one direction of the Y axis constituting the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and Y2 represents the other direction of the Y axis. Similarly, Z1 represents one direction of the Z axis constituting the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and Z2 represents the other direction of the Z axis. In Fig. 1, the X1 side of the blade drive device 101 corresponds to the front side (front face side) of the blade drive device 101, and the X2 side of the blade drive device 101 corresponds to the rear side (rear face side) of the blade drive device 101. Furthermore, the Y1 side of the blade drive device 101 corresponds to the left side of the blade drive device 101, and the Y2 side of the blade drive device 101 corresponds to the right side of the blade drive device 101. Furthermore, the Z1 side of the blade drive device 101 corresponds to the upper side (subject side) of the blade drive device 101, and the Z2 side of the blade drive device 101 corresponds to the lower side (imaging element side) of the blade drive device 101. The same applies to the other figures.

[0011] In the illustrated example, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 1 , the blade drive device 101 is mounted above (on the subject side of) the lens body LS, which serves as a fixed lens, and is configured to function as a variable diaphragm device. The blade drive device 101 may also be mounted above (on the subject side of) a movable lens that is moved in the optical axis direction by an autofocus function and is configured to function as a variable diaphragm device. In this case, the movable lens may be a lens included in a lens drive device equipped with an image sensor shift type image stabilization function. The blade drive device 101 may also be configured to move together with the movable lens. Alternatively, the blade drive device 101 may be mounted inside a lens drive device equipped with a periscope-type actuator and be configured to function as a variable diaphragm device.

[0012] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the blade driving device 101 has a cover member 1, a blade member 2, a rotating member 3, a return spring 4, an intermediate member 5, a conductive member 6, a driver 7, a fixed side metal member 8, a flexible metal member 9, a case member 10, and a shape memory alloy wire SA.

[0013] The cover member 1 is a member that constitutes part of the housing HS, and as shown in Fig. 1, is joined to the intermediate member 5 by adhesive, welding, or the like, and constitutes the housing HS together with the intermediate member 5 and the case member 10. In the illustrated example, the cover member 1 is a flat, annular member made of a synthetic resin such as polyimide, and has an opening 1K. The cover member 1 may also be made of metal.

[0014] The blade members 2 are members that constitute the diaphragm. In the illustrated example, the blade members 2 are flat plate-shaped members made of synthetic resin such as polyimide, and as shown in Figure 2, include a first blade member 2A to a sixth blade member 2F. The first blade member 2A to the sixth blade member 2F have the same shape and size. The blade members 2 may also be made of metal.

[0015] The rotary member 3 is a member that is rotated by a drive mechanism DM, which is a mechanism for opening and closing the diaphragm, and is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis RX shown in Fig. 1. In the illustrated example, the rotary member 3 is a member formed of synthetic resin having an opening 3K and including a circular ring-shaped portion 3N. The rotary member 3 may also be formed of metal.

[0016] The return spring 4 is a member that biases the rotating member 3. In the illustrated example, the return spring 4 is a torsion spring (torsion coil spring), which generates a restoring force when the rotating member 3 rotates around the rotation axis RX in the direction indicated by arrow AR1, as shown in Figure 2, and attempts to rotate the rotating member 3 in the direction indicated by arrow AR2.

[0017] The intermediate member 5 is a member that supports the drive mechanism DM. In the illustrated example, the intermediate member 5 is a member that is formed by injection molding using synthetic resin, and constitutes the housing HS together with the cover member 1 and the case member 10.

[0018] The drive mechanism DM is a mechanism for rotating the rotating member 3 around the rotation axis RX. In the illustrated example, the drive mechanism DM includes a driver 7, a fixed metal member 8, a flexible metal member 9, and a shape memory alloy wire SA. As shown in Figure 2, the drive mechanism DM includes a first drive mechanism DM1 and a second drive mechanism DM2, and is configured to rotate the rotating member 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow AR1 to reduce the aperture AP of the diaphragm.

[0019] The shape memory alloy wire SA is an example of a shape memory actuator and constitutes the drive mechanism DM. In the illustrated example, the shape memory alloy wire SA includes a right wire SAR that constitutes the first drive mechanism DM1 and a left wire SAL that constitutes the second drive mechanism DM2. When a current flows through the shape memory alloy wire SA, its temperature rises and it contracts in response to the rise in temperature. The drive mechanism DM can rotate the rotating member 3 by utilizing the contraction of the shape memory alloy wire SA.

[0020] The conductive member 6 is a member for supplying current to the shape memory alloy wire SA. In the illustrated example, the conductive member 6 is made of a metal such as iron. The conductive member 6 is a member partially embedded in the intermediate member 5, and includes a first conductive member 6A to a third conductive member 6C.

[0021] The driver 7 is a component constituting the drive mechanism DM. In the illustrated example, the driver 7 includes a right driver 7R constituting the first drive mechanism DM1 and a left driver 7L constituting the second drive mechanism DM2. Specifically, the driver 7 is a cam (a mechanical element that changes the direction of motion) made of metal. It is configured to be able to swing around the swing axis AX and includes a movable-side wire fixing portion 7W that fixes one end of the shape memory alloy wire SA, an acting portion 7P that transmits force to the rotating member 3 to rotate the rotating member 3, a supported portion 7S that is swingably supported by a shaft portion 5F (see the center view of FIG. 5 ) that serves as a support portion SP provided on the fixed-side member FB (intermediate member 5), and an extension portion 7E located between the acting portion 7P and the supported portion 7S. A through portion 7H through which the shaft portion 5F is inserted is formed in the supported portion 7S. More specifically, the right driver 7R is configured to be swingable about the right swing axis AXR and has a right movable-side wire fixing portion 7WR, a right acting portion 7PR, a right supported portion 7SR, and a right extending portion 7ER. The left driver 7L is configured to be swingable about the left swing axis AXL and has a left movable-side wire fixing portion 7WL, a left acting portion 7PL, a left supported portion 7SL, and a left extending portion 7EL. The driver 7 may be partially formed from metal and partially formed from synthetic resin. For example, the driver 7 may have a movable-side wire fixing portion 7W formed from metal and an acting portion 7P formed from synthetic resin.

[0022] The fixed-side metal members 8 are members that constitute the drive mechanism DM. In the illustrated example, the fixed-side metal members 8 include a right fixed-side metal member 8R that constitutes the first drive mechanism DM1 and a left fixed-side metal member 8L that constitutes the second drive mechanism DM2.

[0023] In the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 2 , one end of the shape memory alloy wire SA is fixed to the driver 7, and the other end is fixed to the fixed-side metal member 8. That is, one end of the right wire SAR is fixed to the right driver 7R, and the other end is fixed to the right fixed-side metal member 8R. Furthermore, one end of the left wire SAL is fixed to the left driver 7L, and the other end is fixed to the left fixed-side metal member 8L. Specifically, the driver 7 is formed with a movable-side wire fixing portion 7W to which one end of the shape memory alloy wire SA is fixed, and the fixed-side metal member 8 is formed with a fixed-side wire fixing portion 8W to which the other end of the shape memory alloy wire SA is fixed. More specifically, the right driver 7R is formed with a right movable-side wire fixing portion 7WR to which one end of the right wire SAR is fixed, and the right fixed-side metal member 8R is formed with a right fixed-side wire fixing portion 8WR to which the other end of the right wire SAR is fixed. In addition, the left driver 7L is formed with a left movable side wire fixing portion 7WL to which one end of the left side wire SAL is fixed, and the left fixed side metal member 8L is formed with a left fixed side wire fixing portion 8WL to which the other end of the left side wire SAL is fixed.

[0024] In addition, in the illustrated example, the shape memory alloy wire SA is configured so that the intermediate portion between one end and the other end does not come into contact with other members and becomes straight when electricity is applied, but it may also be configured so that the intermediate portion comes into contact with other members and does not become straight when electricity is applied.

[0025] In this embodiment, the fixing of one end of the shape memory alloy wire SA by the driver 7 is achieved by bending a part of the driver 7 made of a metal plate so as to sandwich one end of the shape memory alloy wire SA. Therefore, the movable-side wire fixing part 7W serves as a clamping part that sandwiches one end of the shape memory alloy wire SA. Furthermore, the fixing of the other end of the shape memory alloy wire SA by the fixed-side metal member 8 is achieved by bending a part of the fixed-side metal member 8 made of a metal plate so as to sandwich the other end of the shape memory alloy wire SA. Therefore, the fixed-side wire fixing part 8W serves as a clamping part that sandwiches the other end of the shape memory alloy wire SA. Note that the fixing of the shape memory alloy wire SA to the driver 7 or the fixed-side metal member 8 may be achieved by welding, or may be reinforced by welding.

[0026] The flexible metal member 9 is a component of the drive mechanism DM and is formed, for example, from a metal plate such as a copper alloy. Specifically, the flexible metal member 9 is a component for supplying current to the shape memory alloy wire SA and includes a left flexible metal member 9L and a right flexible metal member 9R. In the illustrated example, the flexible metal member 9 has a fixed-side portion 9F fixed to the conductive member 6, a movable-side portion 9M fixed to the driver 7, and an elastic arm portion 9G connecting the fixed-side portion 9F and the movable-side portion 9M. Specifically, the left flexible metal member 9L has a left fixed-side portion 9FL, a left movable-side portion 9ML, and a left elastic arm portion 9GL, and the right flexible metal member 9R has a right fixed-side portion 9FR, a right movable-side portion 9MR, and a right elastic arm portion 9GR.

[0027] The case member 10 is a member that constitutes a part of the housing HS, and as shown in Fig. 1, is joined to the intermediate member 5 by adhesive, welding, or the like, and constitutes the housing HS together with the cover member 1 and the intermediate member 5. In the illustrated example, the case member 10 is a cylindrical member formed of a synthetic resin such as LCP (liquid crystal polymer), and has an opening 10K, as shown in Fig. 2. Specifically, the case member 10 has an annular plate-like portion 10M and a cylindrical tubular portion 10C that extends from the outer edge of the plate-like portion 10M along the rotation axis RX.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2 , the cover member 1, blade members 2, rotating member 3, return spring 4, and intermediate member 5 are assembled by engaging engaging portions and engaged portions provided on each member. Specifically, the cover member 1 has six circular first through holes 1H1 and six rounded rectangular second through holes 1H2 as engaged portions. Each of the six blade members 2 has a circular first through hole 2H1 and a rounded rectangular second through hole 2H2 as engaged portions. The rotating member 3 has six protrusions 3P protruding upward from the upper surface of the annular portion 3N as engaging portions. The intermediate member 5 has six protrusions 5P protruding upward from the upper surface as engaging portions. Note that the engaging portions (protrusions) and engaged portions (through holes) in the illustrated example may be replaced with engaged portions (through holes) and engaging portions (protrusions), respectively. The through holes may also be cutouts.

[0029] More specifically, as shown by dashed lines DL1 in Fig. 2, the six protrusions 5P of the intermediate member 5 are inserted into the first through holes 2H1 of the blade members 2 and the first through holes 1H1 of the cover member 1, respectively, and are configured to be substantially immovable relative to the first through holes 2H1 and 1H1 within the first through holes 2H1 and 1H1, respectively. Also, as shown by dashed lines DL2 in Fig. 2, the protrusions 3P of the rotating member 3 are inserted into the second through holes 2H2 of the blade members 2 and the second through holes 1H2 of the cover member 1, respectively, and are configured to be movable relative to the second through holes 2H2 and 1H2 within the second through holes 2H2 and 1H2, respectively.

[0030] Here, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the positional relationship between the cover member 1, blade member 2, rotating member 3, and intermediate member 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cover member 1 and blade member 2. For clarity, the six protrusions 3P of the rotating member 3 are indicated by dashed lines, and the six protrusions 5P of the intermediate member 5 are indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 3 . Specifically, the upper left and lower left views of FIG. 3 show the cover member 1 without the blade member 2 attached, while the upper right and lower right views of FIG. 3 show the cover member 1 with the blade member 2 attached. The upper left view corresponds to the upper right view, and the lower left view corresponds to the lower right view. The upper left and upper right views are views when the aperture opening AP of the diaphragm is fully opened, and the lower left and lower right views are views when the aperture opening AP is fully opened. FIG. 4 is a top view of the blade member 2 and rotating member 3. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 4 is a top view of the rotating member 3 without the blade members 2 attached, while the center and bottom views of Fig. 4 are top views of the rotating member 3 with the blade members 2 attached. For clarity, the six protrusions 5P of the intermediate member 5 are indicated by dashed lines in the center and bottom views of Fig. 4. The upper and center views of Fig. 4 are views of the diaphragm aperture AP at its maximum open state, corresponding to the upper left and upper right views of Fig. 3. The bottom view of Fig. 4 is a view of the diaphragm aperture AP at its minimum open state, corresponding to the lower left and lower right views of Fig. 3. The dotted areas in the center view of Fig. 4 indicate the areas where two adjacent blade members 2 overlap and contact each other.

[0031] More specifically, as shown in the lower right diagram of Figure 3, when the rotating member 3 rotates clockwise about the rotation axis RX when viewed from below by an angle θ1 from the state shown in the upper right diagram of Figure 3, the convex portion 3P of the rotating member 3 moves to the right in the diagram within the second through hole 1H2 of the cover member 1 and the second through hole 2H2 of the second blade member 2B, and the second blade member 2B swings around the corresponding convex portion 5P in the direction indicated by arrow AR3.

[0032] That is, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 4, when the rotating member 3 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation axis RX in a top view from the state shown in the central diagram of Figure 4, the convex portion 3P of the rotating member 3 moves to the left in the diagram within the second through hole 2H2 of the second blade member 2B, and the second blade member 2B swings around the corresponding convex portion 5P in the direction indicated by arrow AR4.

[0033] The same applies to the first blade member 2A, the third blade member 2C, the fourth blade member 2D, the fifth blade member 2E, and the sixth blade member 2F. As a result, the aperture opening AP of the diaphragm becomes smaller until it reaches its minimum open state.

[0034] Next, the path of current flowing through the shape memory alloy wire SA will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the blade drive device 101. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the blade drive device 101 with the case member 10 attached, the center view of FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the blade drive device 101 with the case member 10 removed, and the bottom view of FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the blade drive device 101 with the intermediate member 5 further removed. FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the rotating member 3, the return spring 4, the intermediate member 5, the conductive member 6, and the drive mechanism DM. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the conductive member 6 and the drive mechanism DM when the conductive member 6 and the drive mechanism DM are combined with each other. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the conductive member 6 and the drive mechanism DM, and the bottom view of FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the conductive member 6 and the drive mechanism DM. FIG. 8 is a diagram of the intermediate member 5. Specifically, the upper diagram in Fig. 8 is a top view of the intermediate member 5, and the lower diagram in Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the intermediate member 5. Note that in Fig. 8, a dot pattern is added to the intermediate member 5 for clarity.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6 , the rotating member 3 has two protrusions 3T protruding downward from the lower surface of the annular portion 3N. The two protrusions 3T form a receiving portion RP that receives the force (pressing force) generated by the drive mechanism DM. In the illustrated example, the receiving portion RP is configured to contact the action portion 7P of the driver 7. However, the receiving portion RP may be configured not to contact the action portion 7P of the driver 7. In this case, for example, another swingable driver may be interposed between the receiving portion RP and the action portion 7P of the driver 7.

[0036] 8, the intermediate member 5 has an annular wall portion 5W. The wall portion 5W is formed with two through-portions 5U for passing through the two protrusions 3T serving as receiving portions RP.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6 , the conductive member 6 includes a buried portion EP buried in the intermediate member 5, a connection portion CS exposed on the lower surface of the intermediate member 5, and a terminal portion TM provided to protrude downward from the intermediate member 5. Specifically, the conductive member 6 includes a first conductive member 6A to a third conductive member 6C. The first conductive member 6A includes a first buried portion EP1, a first connection portion CS1, and a first terminal portion TM1. The second conductive member 6B includes a second buried portion EP2, a second connection portion CS2, and a second terminal portion TM2. The third conductive member 6C includes a third buried portion EP3, a third connection portion CS3, and a third terminal portion TM3. The third connection portion CS3 includes a third left connection portion CS3L and a third right connection portion CS3R.

[0038] The first connection portion CS1, the second connection portion CS2, the third left connection portion CS3L, and the third right connection portion CS3R are arranged so as to be exposed at the positions of the recesses 5T on the underside of the wall portion 5W of the intermediate member 5. Specifically, the first connection portion CS1 is arranged so as to be exposed at the position of the first recess 5T1, the second connection portion CS2 is arranged so as to be exposed at the position of the second recess 5T2, the third left connection portion CS3L is arranged so as to be exposed at the position of the third left recess 5T3L, and the third right connection portion CS3R is arranged so as to be exposed at the position of the third right recess 5T3R.

[0039] 6, the driver 7 has a supported portion 7S swingably connected to the intermediate member 5, an acting portion 7P that can push and move a receiving portion RP provided on the rotating member 3, a movable-side wire fixing portion 7W provided between the supported portion 7S and the acting portion 7P, and an extending portion 7E located between the acting portion 7P and the supported portion 7S. Specifically, the left driver 7L has a left supported portion 7SL, a left acting portion 7PL, a left movable-side wire fixing portion 7WL, and a left extending portion 7EL, and the right driver 7R has a right supported portion 7SR, a right acting portion 7PR, a right movable-side wire fixing portion 7WR, and a right extending portion 7ER.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6, each of the supported portions 7S is formed with a through-hole 7H through which a cylindrical shaft portion 5F formed to protrude downward from the lower surface of the wall portion 5W of the intermediate member 5 is inserted. Note that each of the supported portions 7S may be formed with a convex portion instead of the through-hole 7H. In this case, the wall portion 5W of the intermediate member 5 may be formed with a concave portion to receive the convex portion. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the supported portion 7S is supported by the shaft portion 5F protruding downward from the lower surface of the wall portion 5W of the intermediate member 5, but it may also be supported by a convex portion protruding upward from the upper surface of the plate-like portion 10M of the case member 10.

[0041] Each of the action portions 7P is arranged so as to be able to circumferentially press the protrusions 3T serving as receiving portions RP of the rotating member 3. Specifically, each of the action portions 7P is a portion extending obliquely along a straight line intersecting with each of the circumferential line and the radial line of a circle centered on the rotation axis RX, and is configured to come into contact with and slide on the side surface of the protrusions 3T. In the illustrated example, each of the action portions 7P is configured so as to oscillate around the shaft portion 5F of the intermediate member 5 and press the protrusions 3T serving as receiving portions RP by an angle θ1 in the circumferential direction when a current is supplied to the corresponding shape memory alloy wire SA, as shown in FIG.

[0042] The fixed-side metal members 8 are members fixed to the intermediate member 5 and include a left fixed-side metal member 8L and a right fixed-side metal member 8R. As shown in FIG. 6 , each of the fixed-side metal members 8 has two first through holes 8H1 formed therein, through which two cylindrical protrusions 5Q formed to protrude downward from the underside of the wall portion 5W of the intermediate member 5 are inserted. In the illustrated example, the intermediate member 5 and each of the fixed-side metal members 8 are joined by hot crimping or cold crimping the two protrusions 5Q inserted into the two first through holes 8H1. However, the intermediate member 5 and each of the fixed-side metal members 8 may also be joined by an adhesive.

[0043] 6 , each of the fixed-side metal members 8 has a second through hole 8H2 formed in the center thereof. The second through hole 8H2 is used to join the fixed-side metal member 8 and the conductive member 6. In the illustrated example, the joining between the fixed-side metal member 8 and the conductive member 6 is achieved by laser welding. However, the joining between the fixed-side metal member 8 and the conductive member 6 may also be achieved by soldering or a conductive adhesive. In the illustrated example, the right fixed-side metal member 8R is joined to the first connection portion CS1 of the first conductive member 6A by laser welding, and the left fixed-side metal member 8L is joined to the third left connection portion CS3L of the third conductive member 6C by laser welding.

[0044] The flexible metal member 9 is a member fixed to the intermediate member 5 and includes a fixed portion 9F, a movable portion 9M, and an elastic arm portion 9G. As shown in FIG. 6 , each of the fixed portions 9F has a first through hole 9H1 formed therein, through which a cylindrical protrusion 5S formed to protrude downward from the underside of the wall portion 5W of the intermediate member 5 is inserted. In the illustrated example, the intermediate member 5 and each of the fixed portions 9F are joined by hot crimping or cold crimping the protrusion 5S inserted into the first through hole 9H1. However, the intermediate member 5 and each of the fixed portions 9F may also be joined with an adhesive.

[0045] 6, each of the fixed-side portions 9F has a second through-hole 9H2 formed therein. The second through-hole 9H2 is used to join the fixed-side portion 9F to the conductive member 6. In the illustrated example, the joining of the fixed-side portion 9F to the conductive member 6 is achieved by laser welding. However, the joining of the fixed-side portion 9F to the conductive member 6 may also be achieved by soldering or a conductive adhesive. In the illustrated example, the right fixed-side portion 9FR is joined to the third right connection portion CS3R of the third conductive member 6C by laser welding, and the left fixed-side portion 9FL is joined to the second connection portion CS2 of the second conductive member 6B by laser welding.

[0046] In addition, each of the movable side portions 9M has a third through hole 9H3 through which a cylindrical shaft portion 5F formed to protrude downward from the underside of the wall portion 5W of the intermediate member 5 is inserted, as shown in Figure 6.

[0047] 6, a fourth through hole 9H4 is formed in each of the movable portions 9M. The fourth through hole 9H4 is used to join the movable portion 9M to the supported portion 7S of the driver 7. In the illustrated example, the joining of the movable portion 9M to the supported portion 7S is achieved by laser welding. However, the joining of the movable portion 9M to the supported portion 7S may also be achieved by soldering or a conductive adhesive. In the illustrated example, the right movable portion 9MR is joined to the right supported portion 7SR of the right driver 7R by laser welding, and the left movable portion 9ML is joined to the left supported portion 7SL of the left driver 7L by laser welding.

[0048] In addition, as shown in Figure 2, the plate-shaped portion 10M of the case member 10 has a circular recess 10R when viewed from above, into which the tip of the cylindrical shaft portion 5F, which is formed to protrude downward from the underside of the wall portion 5W of the intermediate member 5, is fitted.

[0049] In the configuration described above, when the first terminal portion TM1 of the first conductive member 6A is connected to a high potential and the third terminal portion TM3 of the third conductive member 6C is connected to a low potential, current flows through the first conductive member 6A (first terminal portion TM1, first embedded portion EP1, and first connection portion CS1), the right fixed-side metal member 8R (right fixed-side wire fixed portion 8WR), the right wire SAR, the right driver 7R (right movable-side wire fixed portion 7WR and right supported portion 7SR), the right flexible metal member 9R (right movable-side portion 9MR, right elastic arm portion 9GR, and right fixed-side portion 9FR), and the third conductive member 6C (third right connection portion CS3R and third embedded portion EP3) to the third terminal portion TM3 of the third conductive member 6C, as shown by the dashed arrows in the upper diagram of Figure 7.

[0050] Furthermore, when the second terminal portion TM2 of the second conductive member 6B is connected to a high potential and the third terminal portion TM3 of the third conductive member 6C is connected to a low potential, current flows through the second conductive member 6B (second terminal portion TM2, second embedded portion EP2, and second connection portion CS2), the left flexible metal member 9L (left fixed-side portion 9FL, left elastic arm portion 9GL, and left movable-side portion 9ML), the left driver 7L (left supported portion 7SL and left movable-side wire fixed portion 7WL), the left wire SAL, the left fixed-side metal member 8L (left fixed-side wire fixed portion 8WL), and the third conductive member 6C (third left connection portion CS3L and third embedded portion EP3), as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow in the upper diagram of Figure 7.

[0051] Next, the movement of the drive mechanism DM will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the blade member 2, the rotating member 3, the drive mechanism DM, and the return spring 4. Specifically, the upper view of Fig. 9 is a view when the aperture AP of the diaphragm is in the maximum open state, and the lower view of Fig. 9 is a view when the aperture AP of the diaphragm is in the minimum open state. Note that in Fig. 9, a dot pattern is added to the rotating member 3 for clarity.

[0052] The drive mechanism DM is a mechanism for rotating the rotating member 3 around the rotation axis RX to reduce the aperture AP of the aperture, and is composed of a drive body 7, a fixed side metal member 8, a flexible metal member 9, and a shape memory alloy wire SA.

[0053] In the illustrated example, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 9, the right driver 7R is configured so that, when no current is supplied to the right wire SAR, the distance DS1 between the right swing center PCR of the right driver 7R and the right action part 7PR is greater than the distance DS2 between the right swing center PCR of the right driver 7R and the right movable-side wire fixing part 7WR. The same applies to the left driver 7L.

[0054] When current is supplied to the right wire SAR constituting the first drive mechanism DM1 including the right driver 7R configured as described above and the right wire SAR contracts, the right driver 7R swings clockwise around the right swing center PCR in bottom view as shown by arrow AR5 in the upper diagram of Fig. 9, and the right action part 7PR moves inward (toward the rotation axis RX) along the circumference of a circle centered on the right swing center PCR. When the right action part 7PR moves inward, the right protrusion 3TR (receiving part RP) of the rotating member 3, which is in contact with the right action part 7PR, is pushed in by the right action part 7PR, and the rotating member 3 rotates clockwise in bottom view as shown by arrow AR6 in the upper diagram of Fig. 9.

[0055] The black block arrow in the upper diagram of FIG. 9 indicates that the action portion 7P is pushing the protrusion 3T that functions as the receiving portion RP.

[0056] In other words, when current is supplied to the right wire SAR, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 9 , the right operating portion 7PR moves inward while pressing the right protrusion 3TR serving as the receiving portion RP, as indicated by arrow AR5, and rotates the rotating member 3 by moving the right protrusion 3TR as indicated by arrow AR6. Similarly, when current is supplied to the left wire SAL, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 9 , the left operating portion 7PL moves inward while pressing the left protrusion 3TL serving as the receiving portion RP, as indicated by arrow AR7, and rotates the rotating member 3 by moving the left protrusion 3TL as indicated by arrow AR8. As a result, the blade members 2 swing in response to the rotation of the rotating member 3, and the aperture opening AP becomes smaller, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 9 . Note that as the rotating member 3 rotates, the return spring 4 is compressed, generating a restoring force. Furthermore, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 9 , when the rotating member 3 rotates by an angle θ1, the aperture opening AP becomes the minimum opening state.

[0057] Thereafter, when the supply of current to the shape memory alloy wire SA (left wire SAL and right wire SAR) is stopped, the driving force due to the contraction of the shape memory alloy wire SA disappears, and the rotating member 3 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from below by the return spring 4, returning to the state shown in the upper diagram of Figure 9.

[0058] Here, referring to FIG. 10 , the details of the return mechanism constituted by the return spring 4 will be described. FIG. 10 is a top view and a bottom view of the return mechanism. Specifically, the upper left and lower left views of FIG. 10 are top views of the return spring 4, the intermediate member 5, and the driver 7, while the upper right and lower right views of FIG. 10 are bottom views of the blade member 2, the rotating member 3, the return spring 4, and the driver 7. The upper left and upper right views of FIG. 10 are views when the aperture AP of the diaphragm is in the maximum open state, i.e., when no current is supplied to the shape memory alloy wire SA, and the lower left and lower right views of FIG. 10 are views when the aperture AP of the diaphragm is in the minimum open state, i.e., when current is supplied to the shape memory alloy wire SA. Note that in FIG. 10 , a dot pattern is applied to the return spring 4 for clarity.

[0059] The return spring 4 has a base end 4B supported by the convex receiving portion 5E of the intermediate member 5, a movable end 4M pressed in by the convex portion 3T (right convex portion 3TR) of the rotating member 3, and an annular portion 4N accommodated in the annular recess 5N of the intermediate member 5.

[0060] When current is supplied to the shape memory alloy wire SA, the driver 7 swings inward as shown in the lower left and lower right diagrams of Fig. 10, and the operating portion 7P of the driver 7 moves the convex portion 3T of the rotating member 3, which serves as the receiving portion RP, clockwise around the rotation axis RX in bottom view as shown in the lower right diagram of Fig. 10. The right convex portion 3TR of the rotating member 3 rotating clockwise is in contact with the movable end 4M of the return spring 4, and therefore pushes and moves the movable end 4M clockwise. Note that, for ease of understanding, the positions of the movable end 4M of the return spring 4 and the driver 7 when the aperture opening AP of the diaphragm is in the maximum open state are indicated by dashed lines in the lower left and lower right diagrams of Fig. 10, and the moving direction of the convex portion 3T of the rotating member 3 is indicated by a dashed arrow in the lower right diagram of Fig. 10.

[0061] When the movable end 4M is pushed in the clockwise direction, the return spring 4 generates a restoring force that tries to move the convex portion 3T of the rotating member 3 in the counterclockwise direction around the rotation axis RX when viewed from below. Therefore, when the supply of current to the shape memory alloy wire SA is stopped and the driving force that the acting portion 7P of the driver 7 tries to push the convex portion 3T in the clockwise direction disappears, the convex portion 3T moves in the counterclockwise direction and returns to its original position (the position when the aperture AP of the diaphragm is in the maximum open state).

[0062] Next, the positional relationship between the lens body LS and the blade drive device 101 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the lens body LS and the blade drive device 101. Specifically, Fig. 11 shows a cross-section of the lens body LS and the blade drive device 101 on an imaginary plane parallel to the XZ plane including the cutting line CL in the lower diagram of Fig. 1.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 11 , the fixed member FB, which includes the cover member 1, the intermediate member 5, and the case member 10, is divided into two outer portions EA (a front portion FA and a rear portion BA) and a middle portion CA. The middle portion CA is located between the front portion FA and the rear portion BA. Note that in Fig. 11 , for ease of understanding, the front-to-rear width WD of the middle portion CA is indicated by a dashed, bidirectional arrow.

[0064] 11 , the blade drive device 101 is configured so that the height H1 of the outer portion EA in the direction along the rotation axis RX is greater than the height H2 of the middle portion CA. In other words, the blade drive device 101 is configured so that the middle portion CA forms a recessed portion CV that is recessed upward on its undersurface. This relationship also holds true for cross sections of the lens body LS and the blade drive device 101 in other imaginary planes that include the rotation axis RX.

[0065] With this configuration, the blade drive device 101 can accommodate a portion of the lens body LS within the recessed portion CV, thereby suppressing an increase in the overall height H3 of the lens body LS and the blade drive device 101 in the direction along the rotation axis RX.

[0066] Next, a blade drive device 101A, which is another example of the blade drive device 101, will be described with reference to FIG. 12 . FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the blade drive device 101A with the cover member 1 and the case member 10 removed. Specifically, the upper view of FIG. 12 is a view when the aperture opening AP is in the maximum open state, and the lower view of FIG. 12 is a view when the aperture opening AP is in the minimum open state. Note that in FIG. 12 , for ease of understanding, a dot pattern is applied to the rotating member 3. Also, in the lower view of FIG. 12 , for ease of understanding, the positions of the convex portion 3T of the rotating member 3 and a part of the driver 7 (the action portion 7P) when the aperture opening AP is in the maximum open state are indicated by dashed lines, and the movement direction of the convex portion 3T and the swing direction of the driver 7 are indicated by dashed arrows.

[0067] The blade drive device 101A differs from the blade drive device 101 (see FIG. 9 ) in that the movable-side wire fixing portion 7W of the driver 7 is located outside the swing center PC (farther from the rotation axis RX) in that the movable-side wire fixing portion 7W of the driver 7 is located inside the swing center PC (closer to the rotation axis RX). Therefore, in the blade drive device 101A, when an electric current is supplied to the shape memory alloy wire SA and the shape memory alloy wire SA contracts, the action portion 7P of the driver 7 moves outward (farther from the rotation axis RX) along the circumference of a circle centered on the swing center PC. Meanwhile, in the blade drive device 101, the action portion 7P of the driver 7 moves inward (closer to the rotation axis RX) along the circumference of a circle centered on the swing center PC.

[0068] The acting portion 7P is a portion that extends obliquely along a straight line that intersects with each of the circumferential line and radial line of a circle centered on the rotation axis RX, and is configured to come into contact with and slide on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical convex portion 3T.

[0069] Furthermore, in the blade driving device 101A, when viewed from a direction (below) along the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3, the direction (counterclockwise direction) in which the driving body 7 oscillates around the oscillation center PC as the shape memory alloy wire SA contracts due to the passage of electricity is different from the direction (clockwise direction) in which the rotating member 3 rotates around the rotation axis RX as the driving body 7 oscillates.

[0070] In this way, the driver 7 may be configured such that the action portion 7P and the movable-side wire fixing portion 7W are located on opposite sides of the swing axis AX of the driver 7.

[0071] Next, referring to Fig. 13, a blade drive device 101B, which is yet another example of the configuration of the blade drive device 101, will be described. Fig. 13 is a bottom view of the blade drive device 101B with the cover member 1 and the case member 10 removed. Specifically, Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the diaphragm opening AP in a middle open state. In the middle open state, the size of the diaphragm opening AP (opening area or diaphragm diameter) is larger than in the minimum open state and smaller than in the maximum open state. Note that in Fig. 13, a dot pattern is applied to the rotating member 3 to make the description easier to understand.

[0072] The blade drive device 101B differs from the blade drive device 101A in that the action portion 7P of the driver 7 is formed by the outer edge of the extension portion 7E, in that the action portion 7P of the driver 7 is formed by the inner edge of the through hole 7T in the extension portion 7E of the driver 7. Specifically, the left action portion 7PL of the left driver 7L is formed by the inner edge of the left through hole 7TL, and the right action portion 7PR of the right driver 7R is formed by the inner edge of the right through hole 7TR.

[0073] The acting portion 7P is a portion that extends obliquely along a straight line that intersects with each of the circumferential line and radial line of a circle centered on the rotation axis RX, and is configured to come into contact with and slide on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical convex portion 3T.

[0074] With this configuration, the acting part 7P of the driver 7 moves counterclockwise around the swing center PC when viewed from below, as shown by the dashed arrow AR9, and the rotating member 3 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis RX when viewed from below, as shown by the dashed arrow AR10.

[0075] In this way, the action portion 7P may be formed by the inner edge of the through hole 7T in the extension portion 7E of the driver 7.

[0076] As described above, the blade drive device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes, as shown in FIG. 2 , a fixed member FB, a rotating member 3 rotatable relative to the fixed member FB, a plurality of blade members 2 rotatably supported by the fixed member FB and rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member 3, and a drive mechanism DM for rotating the rotating member 3. In the blade drive device 101, as shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of blade members 2 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member 3, thereby changing the size of the opening AP formed by the plurality of blade members 2. As shown in FIG. 2 , the drive mechanism DM includes a shape memory alloy wire SA and a swingable driver 7. The driver 7 includes a movable-side wire fixing portion 7W for fixing one end of the shape memory alloy wire SA and an operating portion 7P for rotating the rotating member 3. As shown in FIG. 9 , the distance DS1 between the swing center PC of the driver 7 and the operating portion 7P is greater than the distance DS2 between the swing center PC and the movable-side wire fixing portion 7W.

[0077] This configuration has the effect of enabling the length of the shape memory alloy wire SA to be shortened. That is, this configuration has the effect of ensuring the amount of rotation of the rotating member 3 even if the length of the shape memory alloy wire SA is short.

[0078] 2, the driver 7 may have a supported portion 7S that is rotatably supported by a support portion SP (shaft portion 5F, see the center view of FIG. 5) provided on the fixed-side member FB (intermediate member 5). In this case, the oscillation axis AX of the driver 7 is preferably configured to be substantially parallel to the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3.

[0079] This configuration has the effect of preventing the dimension of the blade drive device 101 from increasing in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the rotation axis RX. This is because the driver 7 oscillates along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis RX. However, in another embodiment, the oscillation axis AX of the driver 7 may be configured to intersect (be non-parallel to) the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3.

[0080] Furthermore, the blade driving device 101 is preferably configured so that, when viewed from below along the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 9, the direction in which the driving body 7 oscillates as the shape memory alloy wire SA contracts due to the passage of electricity (clockwise direction indicated by arrow AR5) is the same as the direction in which the rotating member 3 rotates as the driving body 7 oscillates (clockwise direction indicated by arrow AR6).

[0081] 12 in which the swing direction of the driver 7 and the rotation direction of the rotary member 3 are opposite to each other, this configuration has the effect of enabling the rotary member 3 to be rotated more efficiently. This is because the change in the direction of the force transmitted from the driver 7 to the rotary member 3 can be kept small.

[0082] 7, the driver 7 may have an extending portion 7E located between the supported portion 7S and the acting portion 7P. In this case, the movable-side wire fixing portion 7W is preferably provided so as to be connected to the extending portion 7E at a position closer to the oscillation center PC (supported portion 7S) of the driver 7 than to the acting portion 7P.

[0083] This configuration utilizes the principle of leverage to bring about the effect of increasing the amount of rotation of the rotary member 3 with a simple structure.

[0084] 7, the action portion 7P may be provided at the tip of the extension portion 7E so as to be able to come into contact with the rotating member 3. In this case, the movable-side wire fixing portion 7W is preferably connected to the extension portion 7E at a position on the inner periphery side of the extension portion 7E. The inner periphery side means the side closer to the rotation axis RX than the outer periphery side.

[0085] This configuration has the effect of enabling stable rotation of the rotating member 3. This is because the driver 7, which functions as a cam, comes into direct contact with the rotating member 3 to rotate the rotating member 3. Furthermore, this configuration allows the oscillation direction of the driver 7 and the rotation direction of the rotating member 3 to be the same, which has the effect of enabling efficient rotation of the rotating member 3.

[0086] 2, the fixed-side member FB (intermediate member 5) may have a wall portion 5W located between the first region ZN1 (upper region) and the second region ZN2 (lower region) in the direction along the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3. In this case, preferably, the blade member 2 is provided in the first region ZN1, and the shape memory alloy wire SA and the driver 7 are provided in the second region ZN2.

[0087] In other words, the fixed-side member FB (intermediate member 5) may have a wall portion 5W (partition portion) having at least a part of a surface along an imaginary plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3. In the illustrated example, as shown in the center diagram of FIG. 5 , the wall portion 5W has a lower surface along an imaginary plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3. In the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the rotating member 3, the blade members 2 are provided in an area on one side (Z1 side) of the wall portion 5W (a first area ZN1 on one surface side (Z1 side) of the wall portion 5W), and the shape memory alloy wire SA and the driver 7 are provided in an area on the other side (Z2 side) of the wall portion 5W (a second area ZN2 on the other surface side (Z2 side) of the wall portion 5W).

[0088] In other words, the blade members 2, the shape memory alloy wire SA, and the driver 7 may be provided in different regions in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the rotating member 3. The fixed-side member FB (intermediate member 5) may have a wall portion 5W located between a first region ZN1 where the blade members 2 are arranged and a second region ZN2 where the shape memory alloy wire SA and the driver 7 are arranged.

[0089] This configuration has the effect of preventing interference between the blade member 2 and the shape memory alloy wire SA and the driver 7. This configuration also has the effect of reducing the size in the radial direction.

[0090] 5, the rotating member 3 may have an annular portion 3N disposed in the first region ZN1 and a protruding portion 3T protruding from the annular portion 3N toward the second region ZN2 (the Z2 side, the side away from the blade member 2). That is, a part of the protruding portion 3T (receiving portion RP) may be located in the second region ZN2. In this case, preferably, the wall portion 5W has a through portion 5U through which the protruding portion 3T is inserted, as shown in FIG. 8, and the acting portion 7P is disposed so as to be able to abut against the receiving portion RP provided on the protruding portion 3T, as shown in FIG.

[0091] This configuration has the advantage that the movement of the acting portion 7P can be reliably transmitted to the rotating member 3, compared to a configuration in which the acting portion 7P and the protruding portion 3T functioning as the receiving portion RP are not in direct contact with each other.

[0092] 5, the rotating member 3 may have an annular portion 3N disposed in the first region ZN1 and at least three protrusions 3U protruding from the annular portion 3N toward the second region ZN2 (the Z2 side, the side away from the blade member 2). In the illustrated example, the rotating member 3 has four protrusions 3U. In this case, the wall portion 5W preferably has a plurality (four) of recesses 5R in which the protrusions 3U are disposed, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 8, and at least a portion of the side surface SF of the recesses 5R is configured to guide the rotation of the rotating member 3. The recesses 5R may be through-holes.

[0093] This configuration provides the advantage that the rotation of the rotary member 3 can be guided by the plurality of recesses 5R or through-holes.

[0094] 6, the driver 7 may be made of metal and have a through-hole 7H. In this case, the wall 5W preferably has a shaft 5F (support portion SP) on the side facing the second region ZN2 (Z2 side) that rotatably supports the driver 7 and is inserted into the through-hole 7H. The through-hole 7H may be a through-hole or a notch.

[0095] This configuration brings about the effect that the drive mechanism DM can be realized with a simple structure.

[0096] 6, the fixed-side member FB (intermediate member 5) may have a conductive member 6 and a fixed-side metal member 8. In this case, preferably, the other end of the shape memory alloy wire SA is fixed to the fixed-side metal member 8, and the driver 7 is made of metal and is electrically and mechanically connected to the conductive member 6 via a flexible metal member 9.

[0097] This configuration has the effect of making it easier to ensure a current path to the shape memory alloy wire SA. In the illustrated example, the flexible metal member 9 is connected to the outside via the conductive member 6, but it may also be connected to the outside via a flexible printed circuit board. In this case, the flexible printed circuit board may be attached so as to fit along the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate member 5, and the conductive member 6 may be omitted.

[0098] 7, the shape memory alloy wire SA and the driver 7 may be provided in pairs across the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3. In the illustrated example, a first driver mechanism DM1 including the right wire SAR and the right driver 7R and a second driver mechanism DM2 including the left wire SAL and the left driver 7L are provided to face each other across the rotation axis RX.

[0099] This configuration has the effect of stabilizing the rotation of the rotating member 3, and thus stabilizing the oscillation of the blade member 2. In addition, this configuration has the effect of increasing the driving force of the drive mechanism DM.

[0100] 10, a return spring 4 for returning the rotating member 3 to its initial state may be provided between the fixed member FB (intermediate member 5) and the rotating member 3. In the illustrated example, the initial state means a state in which no current is supplied to the shape memory alloy wire SA, and in the initial state, the aperture AP of the aperture is in a maximum open state. The return spring 4 is a torsion spring (torsion coil spring).

[0101] This configuration has the effect of preventing the blade member 2 from swinging undesirably when not in use (when no current is supplied to the shape memory alloy wire SA).

[0102] As shown in Fig. 2, the fixed-side member FB may have a housing HS that houses the rotating member 3 and the drive mechanism DM (the shape memory alloy wire SA and the driver 7). In this case, the cross-sectional outline of the housing HS in an imaginary plane including the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3 (a second imaginary plane that is perpendicular to a first imaginary plane (XY plane) perpendicular to the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3 and that includes the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3) may be such that, as shown in Fig. 11, the dimension (height H1) in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of two outer portions EA located in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the rotation axis RX of the rotating member 3 is greater than the dimension (height H2) in the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of an intermediate portion CA located between the two outer portions EA. Furthermore, the intermediate portion CA may have a recessed portion CV recessed toward the side (Z1 side) where the blade member 2 is arranged. In other words, the middle portion CA may be a lens body placement portion that is recessed toward the side (Z1 side) where the blade member 2 is placed and where a part of the lens body LS can be placed.

[0103] This configuration allows a portion of the lens body LS to be positioned in the intermediate portion CA, and therefore has the advantage of being able to prevent the axial dimension (Z-axis direction) of the camera module having at least the blade drive device 101 and the lens body LS from becoming larger than in a configuration in which a portion of the lens body LS cannot be positioned in the intermediate portion CA.

[0104] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications and substitutions may be applied to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the features described with reference to the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate unless technically inconsistent.

[0105] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the blade member 2 is composed of six blade members (first blade member 2A to sixth blade member 2F) having the same shape and the same size, but it may also be composed of two to five or seven or more blade members having the same shape and the same size, or it may be composed of two or more blade members having mutually different shapes.

[0106] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-207058, filed on December 7, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0107] 1...Cover member 1H1...First through hole 1H2...Second through hole 1K...Opening 2...Blade member 2A...First blade member 2B...Second blade member 2C...Third blade member 2D...Fourth blade member 2E...Fifth blade member 2F...Sixth blade member 2H1...First through hole 2H2...Second through hole 3...Rotating member 3K...Opening 3N...Annular portion 3P...Convex portion 3T...Convex portion 3TL...Left convex portion 3TR...Right convex portion 3U...Protruding portion 4...Return spring 4B...Base end portion 4M...Movable end portion 4N...Annular portion 5...Intermediate member 5E...Convex receiving portion 5F...Shaft portion 5N...Annular recess 5P, 5Q,5S... Convex portion 5R... Concave portion 5T... Concave portion 5T1... First concave portion 5T2... Second concave portion 5T3L... Third left concave portion 5T3R... Third right concave portion 5U... Through portion 5W... Wall portion 6... Conductive member 6A... First conductive member 6B... Second conductive member 6C... Third conductive member 7... Driver 7E... Extension portion 7EL... Left extension portion 7ER... Right extension portion 7H... Through portion 7L... Left driver 7P... Action portion 7PL... Left action portion 7PR... Right action portion 7R... Right driver 7S... Supported portion 7SL... Left supported portion 7SR... Right supported portion 7T... Through hole 7TL... Left through hole 7TR... Right through hole 7W... Movable side wire fixing portion 7WL... Left movable side wire fixing portion 7WR... Right movable side wire fixing portion 8: Fixed side metal member 8H1: First through hole 8H2: Second through hole 8L: Left fixed side metal member 8R: Right fixed side metal member 8W: Fixed side wire fixing portion 8WL: Left fixed side wire fixing portion 8WR: Right fixed side wire fixing portion 9: Flexible metal member 9F: Fixed side portion 9FL: Left fixed side portion 9FR: Right fixed side portion 9G: Elastic arm portion 9GL: Left elastic arm portion 9GR: Right elastic arm portion 9H1: First through hole 9H2: Second through hole 9H3: Third through hole 9H4: Fourth through hole 9L: Left flexible metal member 9M: Movable side portion 9ML: Left movable side portion 9MR: Right movable side portion 9R: Right flexible metal member 10: Case member 10C: Cylindrical portion 10K: Opening 10M: Plate-shaped portion 10R...recesses 101, 101A,101B...Blade drive device AP...Opening AX...Swing axis AXL...Left swing axis AXR...Right swing axis BA...Rear portion CA...Middle portion CS...Connection portion CS1...First connection portion CS2...Second connection portion CS3...Third connection portion CS3L...Third left connection portion CS3R...Third right connection portion CV...Concave portion DM...Drive mechanism DM1...First drive mechanism DM2...Second drive mechanism EA...Outer portion EP...Embedded portion EP1...First buried portion EP2...Second buried portion EP3...Third buried portion FA...Front portion FB...Fixed side member HS...Housing LS...Lens body PC...Swing center PCL...Left swing center PCR...Right swing center RP...Receiving portion RX...Rotation axis SA: Shape memory alloy wire, SAL: Left wire, SAR: Right wire, SF: Side, SP: Support part, TM: Terminal part, TM1: First terminal part, TM2: Second terminal part, TM3: Third terminal part,

Claims

1. A blade drive device comprising: a fixed side member; a rotating member rotatable relative to the fixed side member; a plurality of blade members rotatably supported on the fixed side member and rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member; and a drive mechanism for rotating the rotating member, wherein the size of an opening formed by the plurality of blade members changes as each of the plurality of blade members rotates with the rotation of the rotating member, wherein the drive mechanism is configured with a shape memory alloy wire and an oscillating drive body, the drive body having a movable side wire fixing part which fixes one end of the shape memory alloy wire and an action part for rotating the rotating member, and the distance between the oscillation center of the drive body and the action part is greater than the distance between the oscillation center and the movable side wire fixing part.

2. The blade drive device according to claim 1, wherein the driving body has a supported part that is rotatably supported by a support part provided on the fixed member, and the oscillation axis of the driving body is configured to be approximately parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating member.

3. A blade drive device as described in claim 2, configured so that, when viewed from a direction along the rotation axis of the rotating member, the direction in which the drive body oscillates in response to the contraction of the shape memory alloy wire due to the passage of current is the same as the direction in which the rotating member rotates in response to the oscillation of the drive body.

4. A blade driving device as described in claim 2, wherein the driving body has an extension portion located between the supported portion and the acting portion, and the movable side wire fixing portion is provided on the extension portion at a position closer to the oscillation center of the driving body than the acting portion.

5. The blade drive device according to claim 4, wherein the action portion is provided at the tip of the extension portion so as to be able to abut against the rotating member, and the movable side wire fixing portion is connected to the extension portion at a position on the inner periphery of the extension portion.

6. A blade drive device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fixed side member has a wall portion located between a first region and a second region in a direction along the rotation axis of the rotating member, the blade member is provided in the first region, and the shape memory alloy wire and the drive body are provided in the second region.

7. A blade drive device as described in claim 6, wherein the rotating member has an annular portion arranged in the first region and a convex portion protruding from the annular portion towards the second region, the wall portion has a through portion through which the convex portion is inserted, and the action portion is arranged so as to be able to abut against a receiving portion provided on the convex portion.

8. A blade drive device as described in claim 6, wherein the rotating member has an annular portion arranged in the first region and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the annular portion towards the second region, the wall portion has a plurality of recesses or through-holes in which the protrusions are arranged, and at least a portion of the side surface of the recesses or through-holes is configured to be capable of guiding the rotation of the rotating member.

9. The blade drive device according to claim 6, wherein the drive body is made of metal and has a through-hole, and the wall portion has a shaft portion that rotatably supports the drive body on the side facing the second area and is inserted into the through-hole.

10. A blade drive device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fixed side member has a conductive member and a fixed side metal member, the other end of the shape memory alloy wire is fixed to the fixed side metal member, and the driver is made of metal and is electrically connected to the conductive member via a flexible metal member.

11. The blade drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shape memory alloy wire and the drive body are provided as a pair on either side of the rotation axis of the rotating member.

12. The blade drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a return spring between the fixed member and the rotating member for returning the rotating member to its initial state.

13. A blade drive device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fixed side member has a housing in which the rotating member and the drive mechanism are housed, and the cross-sectional shape of the outer shape of the housing in an imaginary plane including the rotation axis of the rotating member is such that the dimension in the axial direction of two outer parts located in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotating member is larger than the dimension in the axial direction of a middle part located between the two outer parts, and the middle part is a concave portion that is recessed towards the side where the blade member is arranged.

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