Driving device, camera module, and camera mounting apparatus

Abstract

This drive device includes: a drive unit that drives an imaging element holding part in a plane direction orthogonal to an optical axis direction; and a circuit board that is electrically connected to the imaging element. The circuit board has: a power supply wiring board that includes power supply wiring; and a signal wiring board that includes signal wiring. The power supply wiring board and the signal wiring board are separated from each other.

Description

Drive device, camera module, and camera-mounted device

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving device, a camera module, and a camera-mounted device.

[0002] Generally, a small camera module is mounted on a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, and a lens driving device having an autofocus function (hereinafter referred to as an “AF function”) that automatically performs autofocus when photographing a subject and an image stabilization function (hereinafter referred to as an “OIS function”) that optically corrects shake (vibration) that occurs during photographing to reduce image distortion is applied to such a camera module.

[0003] A lens driving device having an AF function and an OIS function includes an autofocus driving unit (hereinafter referred to as an "AF driving unit") for moving a lens unit in the optical axis direction, and an image stabilization driving unit (hereinafter referred to as an "OIS driving unit") The OIS driving unit is a driving unit that swings the lens unit or the image sensor in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called sensor-shift type drive device that oscillates an image sensor in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The sensor-shift type drive device includes, for example, a base unit, an image sensor board (image sensor holding unit) that holds the image sensor, and a circuit board that electrically connects the base unit and the image sensor board.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-30306

[0006] In a sensor-shift type drive device, the image sensor holder oscillates in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, so the circuit board between the base and the image sensor holder is located within the range of oscillation of the image sensor holder. If the circuit board is too rigid, it will likely hinder the movement of the image sensor holder, so it is desirable to reduce the rigidity of the circuit board so that it can more easily follow the movement of the image sensor holder.

[0007] Although it is possible to reduce the rigidity of a flat circuit board by reducing its thickness or width, the power supply wiring requires a large amount of current, which means that the circuit board needs to have a certain thickness, making it difficult to reduce the rigidity of the circuit board.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a drive device, a camera module, and a camera-mounted device that are capable of reducing the rigidity of a circuit board.

[0009] The driving device according to the present invention comprises: a lens holder that holds a lens; an imaging element holding section that holds an imaging element facing the lens in the optical axis direction; a driving section that drives the imaging element holding section in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction; and a circuit board that is electrically connected to the imaging element, wherein the circuit board has a power supply wiring board including power supply wiring and a signal wiring board including signal wiring, and the power supply wiring board and the signal wiring board are separate from each other.

[0010] A camera module according to the present invention includes: the driving device; an element section including the lens; and an imaging section including the imaging element that captures a subject image formed by the element section.

[0011] A camera-equipped device according to the present invention is an information device or transportation device, and includes the camera module described above, and an imaging control unit that processes image information obtained by the camera module.

[0012] According to the present invention, the rigidity of the circuit board can be reduced.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing a smartphone equipped with a camera module. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a smartphone equipped with a camera module. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the camera module. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover of the drive unit is removed. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the drive unit. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the AF unit. FIG. 7 is a view of the drive unit as seen from the optical axis direction. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the AF unit. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the biased portion. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the OIS unit. FIG. 11 is a view of a portion of the rolling member of the OIS unit. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the OIS unit. FIG. 13 is a view of the image sensor board as seen from the optical axis direction. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the biasing portion and the drive magnet. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the magnetic relationship between the position detection magnet and the AF magnet. FIG. 16 is a diagram of the circuit board as seen from the optical axis direction. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the thickness of the circuit board. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a power supply wiring board according to a modified example. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a car equipped with a camera module. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a car equipped with a camera module.

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a smartphone M (an example of a camera-equipped device) equipped with a camera module A according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1A is a front view of the smartphone M and Fig. 1B is a rear view of the smartphone M.

[0016] In this embodiment, the camera module A is applied to the rear camera OC1 of the smartphone M. The camera module A has an AF function and an OIS function, and can automatically perform autofocus when photographing a subject, and can optically correct shake (vibration) that occurs during photography to capture images without image blur.

[0017] 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of the camera module A. As shown in FIG. 2, this embodiment will be described using a Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z). The same Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is also used in the figures described below. In addition, the intermediate directions that form 45° with the X direction and the Y direction, i.e., the diagonal directions in the planar view of the camera module A when viewed from the optical axis direction, will be described as the U direction and the V direction.

[0018] When actually taking a photograph with the smartphone M, the camera module A is mounted so that the X direction is the up-down direction (or left-right direction), the Y direction is the left-right direction (or up-down direction), and the Z direction is the front-to-back direction. That is, the Z direction is the optical axis direction, and the upper side in the drawing is the optical axis direction light receiving side (also referred to as the "macro position side"), and the lower side is the optical axis direction image forming side (also referred to as the "infinity position side"). Furthermore, the X direction and Y direction perpendicular to the Z axis are referred to as the "optical axis perpendicular direction."

[0019] The camera module A includes a drive device 1 that realizes the AF function and the OIS function, a lens unit (not shown) in which a lens is housed in a cylindrical lens barrel, and a shield cover 2 that covers the entire unit.

[0020] The lens unit (not shown) is accommodated in a lens holder having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface as a lens accommodation portion. The inner wall surface of the lens holder is provided with a groove to which, for example, an adhesive is applied, and the lens unit is screwed into this groove to fix the lens unit to the lens holder, thereby holding the lens unit in the lens holder.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3 , the outside of the drive device 1 is covered by a shield cover 2, which is a drive device main body (reference numeral omitted). The shield cover 2 is a covered square cylinder with a rectangular shape in a plan view from the optical axis direction, and has an opening 21 on its top surface. A lens portion faces the outside through this opening 21. The shield cover 2 is fixed to the base of the drive device 1, for example, by adhesive. That is, the drive device 1 has a rectangular shape extending in the X and Y directions in a plan view from the optical axis direction. In the following description, "plan view" means a plan view from the optical axis direction.

[0022] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the drive unit 1. Figs. 5 and 7 are exploded perspective views showing the detailed configuration of the drive unit 1. Figs. 6 and 8 are enlarged views of the support portion of the drive unit 1 (AF unit section 11). Note that the shield cover 2 is omitted in Figs. 4 to 8.

[0023] Functionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the drive device 1 includes an OIS movable part M1, an OIS fixed part F1, an OIS drive part D1, an OIS support part S1, an AF movable part M2, an AF fixed part F2, an AF drive part D2, and an AF support part S2.

[0024] The OIS movable part M1 is a part that receives the driving force of the OIS driving part D1 and swings in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis during shake correction, and in this embodiment is made up of the image sensor board 123.

[0025] The OIS fixed portion F1 is a portion that supports the OIS movable portion M1, and in this embodiment is formed by a base 121. The OIS fixed portion F1 is disposed, for example, at a distance from the OIS movable portion M1 on the imaging side in the optical axis direction.

[0026] OIS support section S1 is a section interposed between OIS movable section M1 and OIS fixed section F1, and supports OIS movable section M1 so that it can swing within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. In this embodiment, OIS support section S1 is composed of rolling members 125 arranged on base 121.

[0027] The OIS driving unit D1 is composed of an OIS coil 124 arranged in the OIS movable unit M1 and a driving magnet 114 (OIS magnet) arranged in the AF fixed unit F2. That is, a moving coil voice coil motor is applied to the OIS driving unit D1. The OIS driving unit D1 may also be composed of a moving magnet voice coil motor.

[0028] The AF movable portion M2 is a portion that receives the driving force of the AF driving portion D2 and moves in the optical axis direction during autofocusing, and is formed by the lens holder 111 in this embodiment.

[0029] The AF fixed portion F2 is a portion that supports the AF movable portion M2, and in this embodiment, is configured by a magnet holder 113. The AF fixed portion F2 is disposed, for example, radially outwardly and spaced apart from the AF movable portion M2.

[0030] The AF support portion S2 is a portion interposed between the AF movable portion M2 and the AF fixed portion F2, and is made up of a rolling member 117 in this embodiment.

[0031] The AF drive unit D2 is a part that drives the AF movable unit M2 during autofocusing, and in this embodiment is composed of an AF coil 112 arranged in the AF movable unit M2 and a drive magnet 114 (AF magnet) arranged in the AF fixed unit F2. That is, a moving coil type voice coil motor is applied to the AF drive unit D2 in this embodiment. Note that the AF drive unit D2 may also be composed of a moving magnet type voice coil motor.

[0032] A guaranteed stroke, which indicates the degree to which shake correction can be performed appropriately, is defined for drive unit 1. That is, the shapes, sizes, strengths, etc. of the constituent members of OIS movable unit M1, OIS fixed unit F1, OIS drive unit D1, and OIS support unit S1 are set so as to realize the guaranteed stroke.

[0033] Structurally, the drive device 1 has an AF unit section 11 and an OIS unit section 12 .

[0034] 5, the AF unit 11 is a portion that includes the above-mentioned AF movable portion M2, AF fixed portion F2, part of the AF drive portion D2, and AF support portion S2. The AF unit 11 has a lens holder 111, an AF coil 112, a magnet holder 113, a drive magnet 114, and a power supply member 115.

[0035] The lens holder 111 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface as a lens housing portion. A groove into which, for example, an adhesive agent is applied is provided on the inner wall surface of the lens holder 111. The lens portion is held by the lens holder 111 by screwing the lens portion into this groove and fixing the lens portion to the lens holder 111.

[0036] An AF coil 112 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the lens holder 111. For example, the AF coil 112 is provided on the lens holder 111 by being wound around the outer peripheral surface. The AF coil 112 is an air-core coil that is energized during autofocusing, and is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the lens holder 111. Both ends of the AF coil 112 are wound around winding portions (not shown) of the lens holder 111. The current flowing through the AF coil 112 is controlled by a control IC (Integrated Circuit) (not shown). The control IC is disposed on the image sensor board 123, for example.

[0037] Two of the four rectangular corners of the lens holder 111 are provided with holes 111A that penetrate in the Z direction. As shown in Fig. 6, these two corners are located on one of two diagonals of the rectangular shape of the lens holder 111 that runs along the U direction. The U direction is a direction that moves toward the + side of the X direction and toward the + side of the Y direction. The V direction, along which a diagonal line different from the diagonal line running along the U direction runs, is a direction that moves toward the + side of the Y direction and toward the - side of the X direction.

[0038] Protrusion 116B of magnet holder 113 is inserted into hole 111A. A first groove 111B recessed toward the + side in the V direction is provided in the wall surface on the + side in the V direction of hole 111A.

[0039] 7, the lens holder 111 is provided with a position detection magnet 111C for detecting the position of the lens holder 111 in the Z direction. The position detection magnet 111C is arranged at one of the four corners of the rectangle of the lens holder 111. The corner where the position detection magnet 111C is located is located on the positive side of the V direction on one of the two diagonals of the rectangular shape of the lens holder 111 that runs along the V direction (see also FIG. 6).

[0040] Specifically, the position detection magnet 111C is fixed to a magnet fixing portion 111D provided on the lens holder 111. The position detection magnet 111C is magnetized so that the north pole is on the center side (inside) of the lens holder 111 and the south pole is on the opposite side (outside) of the lens holder 111 from the center.

[0041] Furthermore, a biasing yoke 111E is provided at the corner (the negative corner in the V direction) opposite to the corner where the position detection magnet 111C is located in the lens holder 111. In other words, the position detection magnet 111C is disposed on the opposite side of the biasing yoke 111E across the lens holding portion of the lens holder 111.

[0042] The biasing yoke 111E is fixed to a yoke fixing portion 111F provided on the lens holder 111. The yoke fixing portion 111F is provided so as to be recessed from the surface on the negative side in the Z direction at the corner on the negative side in the V direction of the lens holder 111, and is configured so that the biasing yoke 111E can be inserted therein.

[0043] The position detection magnet 111C and the biasing yoke 111E function as a biasing portion for biasing the lens holder 111 toward the magnet holder 113, depending on the relationship with the drive magnet 114 held by the magnet holder 113. The biasing portion will be described in detail later.

[0044] 5, the magnet holder 113 is a housing that houses the lens holder 111, and is a holding member that has a generally rectangular cylindrical shape in a plan view and is made up of four connected side walls 113A. The magnet holder 113 has an opening 113B that is cut out in a portion that corresponds to the generally rectangular outer shape of the lens holder 111 in a plan view. The lens holder 111 is placed in this opening 113B, and the magnet holder 113 is disposed so as to surround the lens holder 111.

[0045] 7, the magnet holder 113 has a magnet holding portion 113C on the inside of each of the four side walls 113A. The drive magnet 114 is fixed to the magnet holding portion 113C. For example, the magnet holding portion 113C is provided with an opening (reference numeral omitted) that communicates with the outside, so that an adhesive can be injected into the contact surface between the magnet holding portion 113C and the drive magnet 114.

[0046] The magnet holder 113 has a fixed portion 113D on the lower surface of the side wall 113A, to which the power supply member 115 is fixed.

[0047] The magnet holder 113 is provided with a biased portion 116 at each end in the U direction. The biased portion 116 is a portion that biases the lens holder 111 by the biasing portion, and one biased portion 116 is provided corresponding to each of the two holes 111A of the lens holder 111. The biased portion 116 has an extending portion 116A and a protruding portion 116B.

[0048] The extensions 116A are provided at two of the four corners of the rectangle of the magnet holder 113. The two corners are located on the diagonal line along the U direction of the two diagonal lines of the rectangular shape of the magnet holder 113 (see also FIG. 6).

[0049] The extension portion 116A extends from the bottom portion on the negative side in the Z direction of the magnet holder 113 toward the center of the magnet holder 113. When the lens holder 111 is assembled to the magnet holder 113 (AF unit portion 11), the extension portion 116A is located on the negative side in the Z direction of the hole 111A of the lens holder 111.

[0050] 8, the protrusion 116B is provided to protrude from the extension 116A toward the positive side in the Z direction. The protrusion 116B is located within the hole 111A of the lens holder 111 when the lens holder 111 is attached to the magnet holder 113 (AF unit 11).

[0051] Furthermore, a second groove 116C recessed toward the + side in the V direction is provided on the wall surface on the negative side in the V direction of the protrusion 116B. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the second groove 116C faces the first groove 111B of the hole 111A when the lens holder 111 is assembled to the magnet holder 113 (AF unit 11). A rolling member 117 is disposed between the first groove 111B and the second groove 116C.

[0052] The rolling members 117 are spherical members interposed between the first groove 111B and the second groove 116C, and support the lens holder 111 when the lens holder 111 is urged against the urged portion 116 by the urging portion. One rolling member 117 is provided on the urged portion 116 on the + side in the U direction, and two rolling members 117 are provided on the urged portion 116 on the - side in the U direction. When the lens holder 111 is driven in the Z direction, the rolling members 117 slide while rolling between the first groove 111B and the second groove 116C. This allows the lens holder 111 to be driven smoothly.

[0053] 5 and 6, a substrate 118 is disposed on the magnet holder 113 at a portion facing the position detection magnet 111C. The substrate 118 is, for example, a flexible printed circuit board, and is connected to a substrate (not shown) that is connected to the control IC via terminal fittings or the like. The substrate 118 is also provided with a magnetic sensor (not shown). The magnetic sensor is configured with a Hall element, a TMR (Tunnel Magneto Resistance) sensor, or the like. The magnetic sensor detects the magnetic field of the position detection magnet 111C, thereby enabling the position of the lens holder 111 in the Z direction to be detected.

[0054] 5 and 7, the drive magnet 114 is fixed to the magnet holding portion 113C of each of the four side walls 113A of the magnet holder 113. In this embodiment, the drive magnet 114 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0055] Furthermore, drive magnets 114 are magnets for AF drive and OIS drive, and are arranged in a position facing but spaced apart from AF coil 112 while being fixed to magnet holding portion 113C. Four drive magnets 114 are provided surrounding lens holder 111, and each includes an AF magnet 114A and an OIS magnet 114B.

[0056] The AF magnet 114A drives the lens holder 111 in the optical axis direction (Z direction), and together with the AF coil 112, constitutes a voice coil motor that functions as the AF drive unit D2. The AF magnet 114A is magnetized so as to form a magnetic field that crosses the AF coil 112 in the radial direction (U direction or V direction). Specifically, the AF magnet 114A is magnetized so that the north pole is located on the side facing the AF coil 112, and the south pole is located on the opposite side.

[0057] OIS magnet 114B is used to drive OIS unit 12 (described later) in a direction along the XY plane, and together with OIS coil 124 (described later), constitutes a voice coil motor that functions as OIS drive unit D1. OIS magnet 114B is magnetized so as to form a magnetic field that crosses OIS coil 124 in the optical axis direction. Note that OIS magnet 114B may be configured integrally with AF magnet 114A.

[0058] The power supply member 115 electrically connects the magnet holder 113, which is the AF fixed part F2, to the lens holder 111, which is the AF movable part M2. The power supply member 115 is composed of two leaf springs made of, for example, titanium copper, nickel copper, stainless steel, or the like.

[0059] Power supply member 115 has a first fixed portion 115A fixed to fixed portion 113D of magnet holder 113, a second fixed portion 115B fixed to lens holder 111, and an arm portion 115C connecting first fixed portion 115A and second fixed portion 115B. First fixed portion 115A and second fixed portion 115B are adhesively fixed to magnet holder 113 or lens holder 111, for example.

[0060] The first fixed portion 115A is electrically connected to the substrate 118, and the second fixed portion 115B is electrically connected to the entanglement portion to which the AF coil 112 is connected. As a result, the power supply member 115 forms a power supply path from the control IC to the AF coil 112 via the substrate 118, etc.

[0061] When autofocusing is performed in the camera module A, current is passed through the AF coil 112 of the AF unit 11. The current passing through the AF coil 112 is controlled by a control IC (not shown). This control is performed based on a control signal supplied from outside the camera module A and the detection result of a magnetic sensor built into or connected to the control IC.

[0062] In the AF unit 11, when the AF coil 112 is energized, a Lorentz force (Fleming's left-hand rule) is generated in the AF coil 112 due to the interaction between the magnetic field of the AF magnet 114A and the current flowing through the AF coil 112. The direction of the Lorentz force is the direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field (X direction or Y direction) and the direction of the current flowing through the AF coil 112 (Y direction or X direction).

[0063] The direction of the magnetic field is set in advance so that the direction of the Lorentz force is the desired direction. Because the AF magnet 114A is fixed, a reaction force acts on the AF coil 112. This reaction force becomes the driving force for the voice coil motor, which is the AF drive unit D1, and the lens holder 111 having the AF coil 112 and the lens unit housed in the lens holder 111 move in the optical axis direction, thereby performing autofocus.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 4, OIS unit 12 is a part that has the above-mentioned OIS movable part M1, OIS fixed part F1, part of OIS drive part D1, and OIS support part S1. As shown in Fig. 9, OIS unit 12 has base 121, circuit board 122, image sensor board 123, and OIS coil 124.

[0065] The base 121 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. An external connection board 121A that can be connected to the outside of the camera module A is disposed on the base 121. The base 121 also has a recess 121B.

[0066] The recess 121B is a portion where the rolling member 125 is disposed, which is interposed between the image sensor substrate 123 and the base 121. The recess 121B is configured to be recessed from a portion of the base 121 where the external connection substrate 121A is disposed toward the negative side in the Z direction (see also FIG. 10).

[0067] The recesses 121B are provided in three locations on the base 121: at the end on the negative side in the X direction and the end on the negative side in the Y direction, at the end on the negative side in the X direction and the end on the positive side in the Y direction, and at the end on the positive side in the X direction and the center in the Y direction.

[0068] The rolling members 125 are spherical members that are placed in the respective recesses 121 B. The rolling members 125 are interposed between the base 121 and the image sensor substrate 123 to support the image sensor substrate 123 .

[0069] The recesses 121B are configured in a rectangular shape larger than the rolling members 125, and when the image sensor substrate 123 oscillates within the XY plane, the rolling members 125 slide while rolling within each recess 121B, thereby enabling the image sensor substrate 123 to be driven smoothly.

[0070] 11, a magnet 121C is provided on the negative surface in the Z direction of the base 121 to magnetically attract the image sensor board 123. One magnet 121C is provided in each of three arrangement portions 121D (see FIG. 9) provided in the base 121 near positions corresponding to the three recesses 121B.

[0071] 9 and 11 , the circuit board 122 is a flexible printed circuit board that forms wiring that electrically connects the external connection board 121A and the image sensor board 123, and is disposed between the base 121 and the image sensor board 123 in the Z direction. The circuit board 122 has a first connection portion 122A, a second connection portion 122B, and a wiring portion 122C.

[0072] The first connection portion 122A is a portion that is connected to the external connection substrate 121A, and is disposed at a position corresponding to the end portion on the negative side in the Y direction of the base 121 where the external connection substrate 121A is located.

[0073] The second connection portion 122B is a portion that is connected to the image sensor substrate 123, and is arranged at a position corresponding to the positive side in the X direction relative to the first connection portion 122A at the end of the base 121 on the negative side in the Y direction.

[0074] The wiring portion 122C is a portion that constitutes the wiring of the circuit board 122, and connects the first connection portion 122A and the second connection portion 122B. Details of the circuit board 122 will be described later.

[0075] The image sensor board 123 is a substantially rectangular board and serves as an imaging element holder for holding an imaging element. The image sensor board 123 is arranged so as to be able to swing in the X, Y, or θ direction within the XY plane. The θ direction is the direction around an axis centered on the optical axis. An opening 123A is provided in the center of the image sensor board 123, and the imaging element is attached so as to cover this opening 123A.

[0076] The imaging element is configured by, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, etc. The imaging element captures an image of a subject formed by a lens unit. Image information obtained by the imaging element is processed by an image processing unit (for example, a central processing unit (CPU)) built into the smartphone M.

[0077] 11 , a yoke 123B for magnetically attracting the magnet 121C is provided on the negative surface in the Z direction of the image sensor board 123. The yoke 123B is provided at a position corresponding to the magnet 121C. The magnetic attraction between the yoke 123B and the magnet 121C makes it possible to stabilize the posture of the image sensor board 123 even if the image sensor board 123 wobbles within the XY plane.

[0078] 12 , the OIS coil 124 is disposed in a position facing each of the four drive magnets 114 (OIS magnets 114B) in the Z direction. The OIS coil 124 is an air-core coil that is energized during shake correction, and is disposed on the image sensor board 123.

[0079] The OIS coil 124 has a first coil 124A, a second coil 124B, a third coil 124C, a fourth coil 124D, a fifth coil 124E, and a sixth coil 124F.

[0080] The first coil 124A is disposed along a side parallel to the Y direction at the end on the negative side in the X direction of the image sensor substrate 123. The second coil 124B is disposed along a side parallel to the Y direction at the end on the positive side in the X direction of the image sensor substrate 123. In other words, the first coil 124A and the second coil 124B are provided at both ends of the image sensor substrate 123 in the X direction, and are disposed opposite each other in the X direction with the opening 123A between them.

[0081] The third coil 124C and the fourth coil 124D are arranged along a side parallel to the X direction at the end on the positive side in the Y direction of the image sensor substrate 123. The fourth coil 124D is arranged on the positive side in the X direction with respect to the third coil 124C.

[0082] The fifth coil 124E and the sixth coil 124F are arranged along a side parallel to the X direction at the end on the negative side in the Y direction of the image sensor substrate 123. The sixth coil 124F is arranged on the positive side in the X direction of the fifth coil 124E.

[0083] The third coil 124C and the fifth coil 124E are provided at both ends of the image sensor substrate 123 in the Y direction, and are arranged opposite each other in the Y direction with the opening 123A in between. The fourth coil 124D and the sixth coil 124F are provided at both ends of the image sensor substrate 123 in the Y direction, and are arranged opposite each other in the Y direction with the opening 123A in between.

[0084] Furthermore, magnetic sensors 126 are mounted on the image sensor board 123. The magnetic sensors 126 are configured, for example, with Hall elements or TMR sensors, and one each is provided at a position corresponding to the first coil 124A, the third coil 124C, and the fifth coil 124E.

[0085] The magnetic sensor 126 can identify the position of the OIS movable part M1 in the XY plane by detecting the magnetic field formed by the OIS magnet 114B facing the corresponding coil.

[0086] When shake correction is performed in camera module A, current is passed through OIS coil 124. Specifically, the current passing through OIS coil 124 is controlled based on a detection signal from a shake detection unit (not shown, for example, a gyro sensor) so as to cancel out shake of camera module A. At this time, by feeding back the detection result of magnetic sensor 126, it is possible to accurately control the swing of OIS movable part M1.

[0087] When OIS coil 124 is energized, a Lorentz force is generated in OIS coil 124 (Fleming's left-hand rule) due to the interaction between the magnetic field of OIS magnet 114B and the current flowing through OIS coil 124. The direction of the Lorentz force is a direction (Y direction, X direction, or θ direction) perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field (Z direction) and the direction of the current flowing through OIS coil 124 (X direction or Y direction).

[0088] For example, when a current flows in the Y direction through the first coil 124A and the second coil 124B, the Lorentz force is in the X direction because the current flows in the Y direction. Also, when a current flows in the X direction through the third coil 124C and the fifth coil 124E and the fourth coil 124D and the sixth coil 124F, the Lorentz force is in the Y direction. Specifically, when current flows between the third coil 124C and the fourth coil 124D and between the fifth coil 124E and the sixth coil 124F in the same direction (clockwise or counterclockwise), the image sensor substrate 123 oscillates in the Y direction. Also, when current flows between the third coil 124C and the fourth coil 124D and between the fifth coil 124E and the sixth coil 124F in opposite directions, the image sensor substrate 123 oscillates in the θ direction.

[0089] Because magnet holder 113 is fixed, a reaction force acts on OIS coil 124. This reaction force becomes the driving force for the voice coil motor, which is OIS driver D2. This driving force causes image sensor board 123, which has OIS coil 124, and the imaging element held by image sensor board 123 to oscillate in the X, Y, or θ direction within the XY plane, thereby performing shake correction.

[0090] Next, the biasing portion of the AF unit 11 will be described in detail.

[0091] 13 , the biasing portion is configured to bias the lens holder 111 toward the magnet holder 113, and is composed of a position detection magnet 111C, a biasing yoke 111E, and an AF magnet 114A. In the following description, of the four rectangular corners of the lens holder 111 and the magnet holder 113, the corner on the positive side in the V direction where the position detection magnet 111C is located will be referred to as a first corner C1, and the corner on the negative side in the V direction where the biasing yoke 111E is located will be referred to as a second corner C2. Furthermore, of the four corners, the two corners on the positive and negative sides in the U direction that correspond to the hole 111A of the lens holder 111 and the biased portion 116 of the magnet holder 113 will be referred to as a third corner C3 and a fourth corner C4, respectively.

[0092] The position detection magnet 111C not only detects the position of the lens holder 111, but also functions as a biasing magnet that biases the lens holder 111 toward the magnet holder 113. The position detection magnet 111C is disposed opposite two AF magnets 114A (first magnets A1) that are held by two side walls 113A that include a first corner C1 out of the four side walls 113A of the magnet holder 113. The two side walls 113A that include the first corner C1 are the side wall 113A on the positive side in the Y direction and the side wall 113A on the negative side in the X direction out of the four side walls 113A.

[0093] Specifically, the position detection magnet 111C is disposed at a position corresponding to the outside of the AF coil 112, and faces the end portions (second portions) of the two first magnets A1. The second portions include, for example, the portion of the first magnet A1 at the first corner C1 that does not face the AF coil 112 and is on the positive side in the V direction of the position detection magnet 111C (such as the portion indicated by the symbol A11).

[0094] The position detection magnet 111C is arranged so that the north pole is on the inside of the lens holder 111 and the south pole is on the outside of the lens holder 111. In this case, the magnetic flux generated from the position detection magnet 111C becomes a first magnetic flux G1 that flows from the north pole side (inside) to the south pole side (outside), as shown in FIG.

[0095] The two first magnets A1 are arranged so that the north pole is located on the side facing the AF coil 112 (the side facing the lens holder 111) and the south pole is located on the opposite side. The magnetic flux at parts other than the end parts of the first magnets A1 is directed toward the opposing AF coil 112, but the magnetic flux at the end parts of the first magnets A1 becomes a second magnetic flux G2 that wraps around from the north pole side to the south pole side.

[0096] The first magnetic flux G1 and the second magnetic flux G2 repel each other just before (upstream of) the point G3 where they intersect. As a result, the position detection magnet 111C magnetically repels the first magnet A1. Furthermore, the second magnetic flux G2 becomes a magnetic flux that repels the position detection magnet 111C downstream of point G3. Therefore, a virtual magnet with its south pole on the negative V-direction faces the position detection magnet 111C, creating a magnetically repulsive relationship between the two. As a result, the position detection magnet 111C magnetically repels the first magnet A1. The position detection magnet 111C generates equal repulsive forces from the first magnets A1 on both sides of the U-direction, resulting in a repulsive force toward the negative V-direction, which is perpendicular to the U-direction. Therefore, the position detection magnet 111C magnetically biases the lens holder 111 away from the two first magnets A1 (the negative V-direction).

[0097] In this embodiment, the position detection magnet 111C is arranged so that the north pole is on the inside of the lens holder 111 and the south pole is on the outside of the lens holder 111, but this is not limiting. The position detection magnet 111C may be arranged so that the north and south poles of the position detection magnet 111C face in either direction, as long as it is arranged so that it is magnetically biased away from the two first magnets A1.

[0098] For example, if the position detection magnet 111C faces a portion of the first magnet A1 other than the ends, magnetic flux flows from the portion (north pole) of the first magnet A1 that faces the position detection magnet 111C toward the position detection magnet 111C. In this case, the position detection magnet 111C should be arranged so that the inside of the lens holder 111 is the south pole and the outside of the lens holder 111 is the north pole. This causes repulsion between the magnetic flux from the north pole of the first magnet A1 and the magnetic flux from the north pole of the position detection magnet 111C. As a result, this repulsive force magnetically biases the lens holder 111 away from the two first magnets A1.

[0099] 13 , the biasing yoke 111E is disposed inside the AF coil 112. The biasing yoke 111E faces two AF magnets 114A (second magnets A2) held by two side walls 113A including the second corner C2 out of the four side walls 113A of the magnet holder 113. The two side walls 113A including the second corner C2 are the side wall 113A on the negative side in the Y direction and the side wall 113A on the positive side in the X direction out of the four side walls 113A.

[0100] Specifically, the biasing yoke 111E faces magnetically attracted portions (first portions) of the two second magnets A2. The first portions include, for example, portions of the second magnets A2 at the second corner C2 that do not face the AF coil 112 (such as the portion indicated by reference symbol A21). The biasing yoke 111E is attracted by equal attractive forces from the second magnets A2 on both sides in the U direction, resulting in an attractive force toward the negative side of the V direction, which is perpendicular to the U direction. Therefore, the biasing yoke 111E magnetically biases the lens holder 111 toward the side attracted by the two second magnets A2 (the negative side of the V direction).

[0101] That is, the biasing direction of the position-detecting magnet 111C and the biasing direction of the biasing yoke 111E are the same. That is, the repulsive direction of the position-detecting magnet 111C with respect to the first magnet A1 is parallel to the attractive direction of the biasing yoke 111E with respect to the second magnet A2. In other words, the position-detecting magnet 111C magnetically repels the two first magnets A1 on the side where the biasing yoke 111E is attracted to the two second magnets A2.

[0102] This combines the biasing force of the position detection magnet 111C and the biasing force of the biasing yoke 111E, thereby increasing the biasing force of the lens holder 111 toward the magnet holder 113. Furthermore, because the repulsive direction of the position detection magnet 111C and the attractive direction of the biasing yoke 111E are parallel, the biasing force of the lens holder 111 toward the magnet holder 113 can be further increased.

[0103] Furthermore, since the position detection magnet 111C is disposed on the opposite side of the lens holding portion of the lens holder 111 from the biasing yoke 111E, the direction of repulsion of the position detection magnet 111C can be made to be more likely to be the side to which the biasing yoke 111E is attracted. As a result, the biasing force of the lens holder 111 on the magnet holder 113 can be easily increased.

[0104] The lens holder 111 is supported in the V direction by rolling members 117 interposed between the biased portion 116 of the magnet holder 113 and the hole 111A at portions corresponding to the third corner C3 and the fourth corner C4. In other words, the rolling members 117 support the lens holder 111 biased by the biasing portion so that the lens holder 111 can move in the optical axis direction. Therefore, the lens holder 111 biased by the biasing portion can be easily moved in the optical axis direction while being supported by the rolling members 117.

[0105] Additionally, the first groove 111B of the hole 111A of the lens holder 111, the rolling member 117, and the second groove 116C of the protrusion 116B of the magnet holder 113 are aligned in the V direction. In other words, the first groove 111B, the rolling member 117, and the second groove 116C are aligned in the repulsive direction with respect to the first magnet A1 in the position detection magnet 111C.

[0106] Here, "arranged side by side in the repulsion direction" includes not only cases where the arrangement direction and the force direction are completely aligned, but also cases where there is a slight angle or misalignment between the arrangement direction and the force direction due to manufacturing errors, etc.

[0107] This allows the biasing force of the biasing portion to be transmitted straight to the biased portion 116 without being dispersed in a direction deviated from the V direction. As a result, the biasing force of the lens holder 111 applied to the magnet holder 113 can be further increased.

[0108] In addition, the force-receiving portion 116 has an extension portion 116A and a protruding portion 116B that protrudes into a hole 111A of the lens holder 111, in which a first groove 111B along which the rolling member 117 can slide is formed, and in which a second groove 116C along which the rolling member 117 can slide is formed.

[0109] This allows a simple structure to be realized as a support structure for the lens holder 111 in the magnet holder 113. Furthermore, this support structure allows the lens holder 111 to be easily assembled in the magnet holder 113.

[0110] Furthermore, in the case of a moving coil type configuration, it is difficult to provide rolling members 117 on the side surfaces of lens holder 111, but in this embodiment, rolling members 117 can be arranged in a small space using holes 111A and protrusions 116B. That is, in the moving coil type configuration, the configuration of AF movable part M2 can be simplified and the weight can be reduced.

[0111] Furthermore, because the position detection magnet 111C functions as an energizing magnet, there is no need to provide two magnets, one for position detection and one for energizing. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced. Furthermore, by reducing the number of parts, the configuration of the drive unit 1 can be made more compact.

[0112] Next, the wiring portion 122C of the circuit board 122 will be described in detail.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 15, the wiring section 122C has a signal wiring board 122D and a power wiring board 122E that are separated from each other.

[0114] The signal wiring board 122D is a wiring board for supplying a signal based on a control signal of the camera module A to the image sensor board 123. The signal wiring board 122D is configured to have a plurality of bent portions so as to extend from the first connection portion 122A along the periphery of a predetermined space, and is connected to the second connection portion 122B.

[0115] The power supply wiring board 122E is a wiring board for supplying a signal based on the power supply of the camera module A to the image sensor board 123. The power supply wiring board 122E is arranged so as to fill the space inside the signal wiring board 122D while forming multiple folded portions (part of multiple bent portions) from the first connection portion 122A, and is then connected to the second connection portion 122B.

[0116] The overall length of the power supply wiring board 122E is longer than the overall length of the signal wiring board 122D. Also, as shown in Fig. 16, the thickness of the signal wiring board 122D is smaller than the thickness of the power supply wiring board 122E.

[0117] In the so-called sensor shift type driving device 1, the image sensor board 123 oscillates in the XY plane, and therefore the circuit board 122 between the base 121 and the image sensor board 123 is located within the oscillation range of the image sensor board 123. If the rigidity of the circuit board 122 is high, it is likely to hinder the operation of the image sensor board 123, so it is desirable to reduce the rigidity of the circuit board 122 so that it can more easily follow the operation of the image sensor board 123.

[0118] However, in the case of a flat substrate, reducing the rigidity of the substrate can be achieved by reducing its thickness or narrowing the width of the substrate itself. However, since a large amount of current is required for the power supply wiring, the substrate needs to have a certain thickness. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the rigidity of a flat substrate.

[0119] In this embodiment, since the signal wiring board 122D and the power wiring board 122E of the wiring portion 122C are separate from each other, the rigidity of the circuit board 122 can be reduced compared to a flat board.

[0120] Furthermore, since only power supply wiring is arranged on the power supply wiring board 122E, the width of the power supply wiring board 122E can be narrower than in a configuration in which wiring other than power supply wiring, such as signal wiring, is arranged on the same board, thereby reducing the overall rigidity of the circuit board 122.

[0121] Furthermore, since the thickness of the signal wiring board 122D is smaller than the thickness of the power supply wiring board 122E, the rigidity of the signal wiring board 122D, which does not require a large thickness, can be reduced, thereby reducing the rigidity of the wiring portion 122C as a whole.

[0122] Furthermore, since the signal wiring board 122D and the power supply wiring board 122E are configured with bent portions, the wiring portion 122C can be accommodated in a limited space. In particular, since the overall length of the power supply wiring board 122E is longer than the overall length of the signal wiring board 122D, the provision of bent portions makes it easier to accommodate the wiring portion 122C in the limited space.

[0123] 17, for example, a slit 122F may be formed in the power supply wiring board 122E. The power supply wiring board 122E may include, for example, two or more wires, and the slit 122F is formed between two of the wires. The slit 122F may be formed over the entire power supply wiring board 122E, or may be formed in a portion of the power supply wiring board 122E.

[0124] This reduces the rigidity of power supply wiring board 122E. Furthermore, power supply wiring board 122E needs to have a certain thickness because it requires a large amount of current to pass through it, but slits 122F can reduce the rigidity of power supply wiring board 122E while ensuring the thickness of power supply wiring board 122E.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the repulsive direction of the position-detecting magnet 111C is parallel to the attractive direction of the biasing yoke 111E, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the repulsive direction of the position-detecting magnet 111C includes the same directional component as the attractive direction of the biasing yoke 111E, it does not have to be parallel to the attractive direction.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the position detection magnet 111C is disposed on the opposite side of the biasing yoke 111E across the lens holding portion of the lens holder 111, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the biasing magnet and biasing yoke may be disposed on the same side of the rectangular lens holder 111. In this case, the biasing magnet only needs to be magnetized so that its repulsive direction has a directional component that is the same as the attractive direction of the biasing yoke.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the position detection magnet 111C and the biasing yoke 111E of the four drive magnets 114 face different magnets, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as long as the biasing magnet is magnetized in a repulsive direction that has the same directional component as the attraction direction of the biasing yoke, the biasing magnet and the biasing yoke may face one drive magnet.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the lens holder 111 is supported by the rolling members 117 so as to be movable in the optical axis direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the lens holder may be supported by other support members such as an elastic support member, etc. In this case, the drive unit 1 does not need to have a support structure such as the hole 111A and the biased portion 116.

[0129] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the position detection magnet 111C also serves as an urging magnet, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an urging magnet may be provided separately from the position detection magnet.

[0130] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the signal wiring board 122D and the power supply wiring board 122E are configured to have bent portions, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they do not have to be configured to have bent portions.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the overall length of the power supply wiring board 122E is longer than the overall length of the signal wiring board 122D, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if necessary, the overall length of the power supply wiring board 122E may be the same as the overall length of the signal wiring board 122D.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the signal wiring board 122D is configured to have a thickness smaller than that of the power supply wiring board 122E, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the signal wiring board 122D may have a thickness equal to that of the power supply wiring board 122E.

[0133] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the biasing portion has a biasing magnet and a biasing yoke, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any configuration is acceptable as long as it is capable of biasing the lens holder to the magnet holder.

[0134] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, a smartphone, which is a camera-equipped mobile terminal, was described as an example of a camera-equipped device equipped with a camera module A. However, the present invention can be applied to camera-equipped devices having a camera module and an image processing unit that processes image information obtained by the camera module. Camera-equipped devices include information devices and transportation equipment. Information devices include, for example, camera-equipped mobile phones, laptop computers, tablet terminals, portable game consoles, web cameras, drones, and camera-equipped in-vehicle devices (e.g., backup monitor devices and drive recorder devices). Transportation equipment includes, for example, automobiles and drones.

[0135] 18A and 18B are diagrams showing an automobile V as a camera-mounted device equipped with an in-vehicle camera module VC (Vehicle Camera). FIG. 18A is a front view of the automobile V, and FIG. 18B is a rear perspective view of the automobile V. The automobile V is equipped with the camera module described in the embodiment as the in-vehicle camera module VC. As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B , the in-vehicle camera module VC is attached, for example, to the windshield facing forward or to the rear gate facing backward. This in-vehicle camera module VC is used for backup monitoring, drive recorders, collision avoidance control, autonomous driving control, etc.

[0136] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of specific embodiments of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist or main features of the present invention. For example, the shapes, sizes, numbers, and materials of the components described in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0137] The disclosures of the specification, drawings and abstract contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-072688, filed April 26, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0138] The driving device according to the present invention is useful as a driving device, a camera module, and a camera-mounted device that can reduce the rigidity of a circuit board.

[0139] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Drive device, 2 Shield cover, 11 AF unit section, 12 OIS unit section, 111 Lens holder, 111A Hole, 111B First groove, 111C Position detection magnet, 111D Magnet fixing section, 111E Biasing yoke, 111F Yoke fixing section, 112 AF coil, 113 Magnet holder, 113A Side wall body, 113B Opening, 113C Magnet holding section, 113D Fixed section, 114 Drive magnet, 114A AF magnet, 114B OIS magnet, 115 Power supply member, 115A First fixed section, 115B Second fixed section, 115C Arm section, 116 Biased section, 116A Extension section, 116B protrusion, 116C second groove, 117 rolling member, 118 substrate, 121 base, 121A external connection substrate, 121B recess, 121C magnet, 121D placement portion, 122 circuit board, 122A first connection portion, 122B second connection portion, 122C wiring portion, 122D signal wiring substrate, 122E power supply wiring substrate, 123 image sensor substrate, 123A opening, 123B yoke, 124 OIS coil, 124A first coil, 124B second coil, 124C third coil, 124D fourth coil, 124E fifth coil, 124F sixth coil, 125 rolling member, 126 magnetic sensor, M smartphone, A Camera module

Claims

1. A drive device comprising: a lens holder that holds a lens; an image sensor holding unit that holds an image sensor facing the lens in the optical axis direction; a drive unit that drives the image sensor holding unit in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction; and a circuit board that is electrically connected to the image sensor, wherein the circuit board has a power supply wiring board including power supply wiring and a signal wiring board including signal wiring, and the power supply wiring board and the signal wiring board are separate from each other.

2. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply wiring board and the signal wiring board are configured to have bent portions.

3. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the overall length of the power supply wiring board is longer than the overall length of the signal wiring board.

4. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the signal wiring board is smaller than the thickness of the power supply wiring board.

5. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein a slit is formed at least partially in the power supply wiring board.

6. A camera module comprising: the driving device according to claim 1; an element section including the lens; and an imaging section including the imaging element for capturing an image of a subject formed by the element section.

7. A camera-equipped device that is an information device or a transportation device, comprising: a camera module according to claim 6; and an imaging control unit that processes image information obtained by the camera module.

Images