Drive device, camera module, and camera-mounted apparatus

Abstract

This drive device comprises: a resin-made bending member that is capable of bending an optical path of entry light; a movable part to which the bending member is fixed; a drive part that causes the movable part to operate; and a fixing member that fixes the bending member to the movable part by sandwiching at least a portion of the bending member between the fixing member and the movable part.

Description

Drive Device, Camera Module, and Camera-Mounted Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive 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. Such a camera module is applied with a lens drive device having an autofocus function (hereinafter referred to as "AF function", AF: Auto Focus) that automatically focuses when shooting a subject and an optical image stabilization function (hereinafter referred to as "OIS function", OIS: Optical Image Stabilization) that optically corrects shake (vibration) generated during shooting to reduce image blur.

[0003] A lens drive device having an AF function and an OIS function includes an autofocus drive unit (hereinafter referred to as "AF drive unit") for moving the lens unit in the optical axis direction and an optical image stabilization drive unit (hereinafter referred to as "OIS drive unit") for swinging the lens unit in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction.

[0004] The OIS drive unit is provided with a bending member (for example, a prism element) for bending the optical path of incident light. From the viewpoint of weight reduction, the bending member may be made of a resin material. When the bending member is fixed to the movable part with an adhesive or the like, the resin material constituting the bending member may be deformed due to the curing of the adhesive. When the bending member is deformed, it affects the bending of the optical path. Therefore, a configuration is known in which a portion for fixing to the movable part, such as a convex portion, is provided on the side surface portion of the bending member to reduce the influence on the bending of the optical path (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0063616

[0006] However, in the case of the above-mentioned flexible member, only a portion (such as the protrusion) is bonded to the movable part. Since this portion is relatively small in proportion to the entire flexible member, the fixing force when the flexible member is fixed to the movable part with adhesive is weak. As a result, problems such as the flexible member detaching from the movable part may occur when the device on which the flexible member is mounted is subjected to an external force such as a fall. In other words, when a flexible member made of resin material is used, there are certain issues with the fixing force to the movable part.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a drive device, a camera module, and a camera mounting device that can improve the fixing force of a bending member to a movable part.

[0008] The drive device according to the present invention comprises: a resin bending member capable of bending the optical path of incident light; a movable part to which the bending member is fixed; a drive unit for operating the movable part; and a fixing member for fixing the bending member to the movable part by sandwiching at least a part of the bending member between itself and the movable part.

[0009] The camera module according to the present invention comprises the above-mentioned drive device, a lens unit, and an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject formed by the lens unit.

[0010] The camera-mounted device according to the present invention is a camera-mounted device which is an information device or a transport device, and comprises the above-mentioned camera module and an image processing unit which processes image information obtained by the camera module.

[0011] According to the present invention, the fixing force of the bending member to the movable part can be improved.

[0012] This is a diagram showing a smartphone equipped with a camera module according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing a smartphone equipped with a camera module according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is an external perspective view of the camera module. This is a perspective view of the optical path bending module. This is a cross-sectional view of the optical path bending module. This is an exploded perspective view of the movable part, prism and fixing member. This is an exploded perspective view of the housing part, movable part and substrate part. This is an exploded perspective view of the housing part, movable part and substrate part. This is a diagram showing the arrangement part. This is a diagram showing the arrangement part with the convex part of the prism in place. This is an exploded perspective view of the movable part, ball guide, ball and biasing spring. This is a diagram showing the arrangement part with the fixing member in place. This is a cross-sectional view of the fixing member and arrangement part in the movable part. This is a cross-sectional view of the fixing member and arrangement part in the movable part according to a modified example. This is a diagram showing an automobile as a camera mounting device equipped with an in-vehicle camera module. This is a diagram showing an automobile as a camera mounting device equipped with an in-vehicle camera module.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the camera module and camera mounting device described later in the embodiments are examples of the drive device, camera module, and camera mounting device according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, the drive device, camera module, and camera mounting device according to the present invention may include all of the configurations described later, or may omit some of the configurations.

[0014] The camera module 1 is installed in, for example, a smartphone M (see Figures 1A and 1B), a mobile phone, a digital camera, a notebook computer, a tablet device, a portable game console, and a thin camera-equipped device (such as an in-vehicle camera). The smartphone M has a dual camera consisting of two rear cameras OC1 and OC2. In this embodiment, the camera module 1 is applied to the rear camera OC2.

[0015] Hereinafter, each component constituting the camera module 1 of this embodiment will be described based on its state as assembled in the camera module 1. Furthermore, when describing the structure of the camera module 1 of this embodiment, the orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) shown in each figure will be used.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the camera module 1 comprises a housing 93, an optical path bending module 2, a lens module 4, and an image sensor module 9. The housing 93 houses the optical path bending module 2 and the lens module 4, and the image sensor module 9 is attached to the positive end of the housing 93 in the X direction.

[0017] When the camera module 1 is actually used to take pictures, it is mounted such that, for example, the X direction corresponds to the left-right direction of the camera-mounted device, the Y direction corresponds to the up-down direction of the camera-mounted device, and the Z direction corresponds to the front-back direction of the camera-mounted device.

[0018] Light from the subject (incident light) enters the prism 22 of the optical path bending module 2 from the Z-direction + side (positive side) of the camera module 1, as shown by the dashed line α (also called the first optical axis) in Figure 2. The light that enters the prism 22 (exit light) is bent at the optical path bending surface of the prism 22 (see Figure 2) as shown by the dashed line β (also called the second optical axis) in Figure 2, and guided to the lens portion 41 of the lens module 4, which is located on the X-direction + side. The subject image formed by the lens portion 41 is then captured by the image sensor module 9 (see Figure 2), which is located in front of the lens module 4.

[0019] The optical path bending module 2 incorporates a configuration that enables optical image stabilization (OIS). In other words, the optical path bending module 2 has a camera shake correction function. Details of the optical path bending module 2 will be described later.

[0020] The lens module 4 has an autofocus function and includes a lens section 41 and an AF device. The lens section 41 is held by a lens guide (not shown) and is located in a housing space in the housing 93 that is on the + side in the X direction relative to the optical path bending module 2. The lens section 41 has a lens barrel 42 and one or more lenses 43 held by the lens barrel 42. The lens section 41 is provided so as to be displaceable in the X direction via the lens guide.

[0021] The AF device is a drive unit that displaces the lens unit 41 in the X direction for the purpose of autofocus. The structure of the AF device is not particularly limited. For example, it may be an AF device that includes a motor (not shown) and a conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the motor into linear motion in the X direction to move the lens unit 41 in the X direction. As a result, the camera module 1 performs autofocus.

[0022] The image sensor module 9 is positioned on the X-direction + side of the lens unit 41. The image sensor module 9 is composed of an image sensor such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) type image sensor or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) type image sensor. The image sensor 90 of the image sensor module 9 captures the subject image formed by the lens unit 41 and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the subject image. A sensor substrate 91 is electrically connected to the image sensor module 9, and power is supplied to the image sensor module 9 and the electrical signal of the subject image captured by the image sensor module 9 is output via the sensor substrate 91. Such an image sensor module 9 can employ a conventionally known structure.

[0023] Furthermore, the sensor board 91 is provided with a control unit 92. The control unit 92 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU reads a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM, loads it into the RAM, and works in cooperation with the loaded program to centrally control the optical path bending module 2, etc.

[0024] Next, we will explain the details of the optical path bending module 2.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the optical path bending module 2 comprises a housing section 21, a prism 22, a movable section 23, a substrate section 24, a ball guide 25, a ball 26, a biasing spring 27, and a fixing member 28. The optical path bending module 2 corresponds to the "driving device" of the present invention.

[0026] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the housing section 21 is configured to accommodate the prism 22 and the movable part 23 and is fixed inside the housing 93. The housing section 21 has a bottom wall 211 and a pair of side walls 212.

[0027] The bottom wall 211 is the bottom wall portion of the housing 21. A rectangular through hole 211A is formed in the central portion of the bottom wall 211. The first coil 241A of the substrate portion 24, which will be described later, is positioned in the through hole 211A on the negative side in the Z direction of the bottom wall 211. The first magnet 233 of the movable portion 23 is positioned at the position corresponding to the through hole 211A on the positive side in the Z direction of the bottom wall 211.

[0028] The pair of side walls 212 are provided at both ends of the bottom wall 211 in the Y direction and face each side of the movable part 23 in the Y direction. A notch 212A is formed in the approximate center portion of the pair of side walls 212 in the X direction, and the second coil 242A of the base plate portion 24, which will be described later, is arranged in the notch 212A.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the prism 22 is a bending member that bends the optical path of incident light to guide it to the lens module 4, and is made of resin material. In addition, the positive side and the negative side in the Y direction of the prism 22 are each provided with a protrusion 221 for fixing by a fixing member 28. The protrusion 221 protrudes from the side of the prism 22 (the optical path bending portion) toward the movable part 23 (side wall portion 232) side (the positive or negative side in the Y direction).

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the movable part 23 corrects the runout in the rotational direction around the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 by oscillating the prism 22 around the first axis A1 which is parallel to the Y direction and the second axis A2 which is parallel to the Z direction. This movable part (runout correction device) 23 is located in a housing space surrounded by the bottom wall 211 of the housing 21, a pair of side walls 212, and the wall portion 251 of the ball guide 25.

[0031] The movable part 23 is a holder that pivotably supports the prism 22 relative to the housing part 21, and is configured to pivot about the first axis A1 and also about the second axis A2.

[0032] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the movable part 23 is made of synthetic resin and has a support wall portion 231 and a pair of side wall portions 232. The movable part 23 is also provided with a first magnet 233 and a second magnet 234 for driving the movable part 23.

[0033] The support wall portion 231 is a wall portion on which the prism 22 is mounted, and it faces the bottom wall 211 of the housing portion 21 on the negative side in the Z direction, and also faces the wall portion 251 of the ball guide 25 on the negative side in the X direction.

[0034] The positive side of the support wall portion 231 in the X direction is the mounting surface 231A on which the prism 22 is mounted, and it is inclined so that it is located towards the negative side in the Z direction as it moves toward the positive side in the X direction.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, a recess 231B is provided in the central portion of the X-side surface of the support wall portion 231 (corresponding to the support portion 252 of the ball guide 25). The recess 231B has a cylindrical shape with a length sufficient for the support portion 252 to fit into. The tip portion of the recess 231B is configured in a substantially conical shape and serves as the ball placement portion 231C where the ball 26 is positioned.

[0036] Furthermore, a recess is formed on the Z-side surface of the support wall portion 231, in which the first magnet 233 can be positioned. The recess is provided at a position corresponding to the through hole 211A in the bottom wall 211 of the housing portion 21 described above, and the first magnet 233 is positioned inside it (see also Figure 7).

[0037] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pair of side walls 232 are provided at both ends of the movable part 23 in the Y direction, sandwiching the mounting surface 231A of the movable part 23 in the Y direction. The prism 22 is positioned in the space enclosed by the pair of side walls 232 and the mounting surface 231A.

[0038] Furthermore, on the side of each side wall portion 232 opposite to the mounting surface 231A, a recess is formed that allows for the placement of the second magnet 234. The recess is provided at a position corresponding to the notch 212A in the side wall 212 of the housing portion 21 described above, and the second magnet 234 is positioned inside it.

[0039] Furthermore, each side wall portion 232 is provided with an arrangement portion 235 on which the convex portion 221 of the prism 22 and the fixing member 28 are arranged.

[0040] The arrangement portion 235 is recessed on the negative side in the Z direction compared to the positive side in the Z direction of the side wall portion 232 (see also Figure 12), so that the fixing member 28 and the protrusion 221 can be arranged therein, and is provided in the central part of the X direction of the surface. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the arrangement portion 235 has a first arrangement portion 235A, a second arrangement portion 235B, and a third arrangement portion 235C.

[0041] Since the arrangement portions 235 provided on each of the pair of side wall portions 232 have the same shape, only the arrangement portion 235 provided on the side wall portion 232 on the positive side in the Y direction will be described, and the explanation of the arrangement portion 235 provided on the side wall portion 232 on the negative side in the Y direction will be omitted. Also, since each arrangement portion 235 is arranged symmetrically in the Y direction, the relationship between the positive and negative sides in the Y direction in the arrangement portion 235 on the negative side in the Y direction is the opposite of the relationship between the positive and negative sides in the Y direction in the arrangement portion 235 on the positive side in the Y direction.

[0042] The first placement portion 235A is the portion where the convex portion 221 of the prism 22 is placed, and is configured to be recessed on the + side in the Y direction from the surface on the - side in the Y direction of the side wall portion 232 so that the convex portion 221 can be placed. By fitting the convex portion 221 of the prism 22 into the first placement portion 235A, the prism 22 is placed on the movable portion 23. The convex portion 221 of the prism 22 is adhered in the first placement portion 235A, for example, with a natural curing type adhesive.

[0043] Also, since the side wall portion constituting the first placement portion 235A sandwiches the convex portion 221 in the X direction, the movement of the convex portion 221 in the X direction is regulated.

[0044] The second placement portion 235B and the third placement portion 235C are the portions where the fixing member 28 is placed, and are located on the + side in the Z direction with respect to the first placement portion 235A (see also FIG. 12).

[0045] The second placement portion 235B is provided on each of both sides in the X direction of the first placement portion 235A, and both ends of the contact portion 281 of the fixing member 28 described later are placed.

[0046] The third placement portion 235C is provided at a position corresponding to the central portion in the X direction in the first placement portion 235A, and is configured to be recessed on the + side in the Y direction from the side wall on the + side in the Y direction constituting the first placement portion 235A. The position of the third placement portion 235C in the Z direction is the same as that of the second placement portion 235B, and the position in the X direction is arranged at a position corresponding to the extending portion 282 of the fixing member 28 described later. By this third placement portion 235C, it becomes possible to position the extending portion 282. The third placement portion 235C corresponds to the "positioning portion" of the present invention.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the substrate portion 24 is composed of a flexible substrate and has a first substrate 241 and a pair of second substrates 242.

[0048] The first substrate 241 is disposed at a position facing the bottom wall 211 of the accommodating portion 21 on one side in the Z direction. At a position corresponding to the through hole 211A in the bottom wall 211 on the first substrate 241, a first coil 241A is disposed. Further, on the bottom wall 211, on the side opposite to the first substrate 241, a movable portion 23 is disposed, and as described above, a first magnet 233 is disposed at a position corresponding to the through hole 211A.

[0049] The first magnet 233 and the first coil 241A constitute a voice coil motor. The first magnet 233 and the first coil 241A drive the movable portion 23 so as to swing the movable portion 23 about the first axis A1. The first axis A1 is an axis parallel to the Y direction.

[0050] A pair of second substrates 242 are connected to both ends of the first substrate 241 in the Y direction respectively, and are disposed along the pair of side walls 212 of the accommodating portion 21.

[0051] At a position corresponding to the notch 212A in the side wall 212 on the second substrate 242, a second coil 242A is disposed. Further, at a position corresponding to the notch 212A in the side wall portion 232 of the movable portion 23, a second magnet 234 is disposed.

[0052] The second magnet 234 and the second coil 242A constitute a voice coil motor. The second magnet 234 and the second coil 242A drive the movable portion 23 so as to swing the movable portion 23 about the second axis A2. The second axis A2 is an axis parallel to the Z direction.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, the ball guide 25 is a portion that guides and supports the ball 26 for swinging the movable portion 23, and is fixed at a position corresponding to an end portion on one side in the X direction in the accommodating portion 21. The ball guide 25 has a wall portion 251 and a support portion 252.

[0054] The wall portion 251 constitutes a side wall facing the side surface on one side in the X direction of the movable portion 23. The support portion 252 is provided to project from the central portion of the wall portion 251 toward the + side in the X direction. The tip portion of the support portion 252 is a portion that supports the ball 26.

[0055] The support portion 252 is positioned within the recess 231B of the movable portion 23 described above. The ball 26 at the tip of the support portion 252 is positioned in contact with the wall surface of the ball placement portion 231C within the recess 231B.

[0056] This allows the movable part 23 to swing around the ball 26 as its center, that is, around the first axis A1 and the second axis A2.

[0057] The biasing spring 27 is a leaf spring made of a conductive material. The biasing spring 27 is positioned between the support wall 231 of the movable part 23 and the wall 251 of the ball guide 25 so that the movable part 23 can be biased toward the rear (the negative side in the X direction).

[0058] The biasing spring 27 has a central portion 271, a fixed portion 272, and a connecting portion 273. The central portion 271 is located in the central part of the biasing spring 27 in the Y direction and is positioned to correspond to the movable portion 23. A hole 271A is formed in the central portion 271 through which the support portion 252 of the ball guide 25 passes.

[0059] The fixing portion 272 is a part that is fixed to the housing portion 21 and is provided on both sides of the central portion 271 in the Y direction. The fixing portion 272 is fixed to each of the X-side ends of the pair of side walls 212 of the housing portion 21.

[0060] The connecting portion 273 is the part that connects the central portion 271 and each fixed portion 272, and generates a force that biases the movable portion 23 backward. As a result, the ball 26 is sandwiched between the ball placement portion 231C and the support portion 252 within the recess 231B.

[0061] As shown in Figure 5, the fixing member 28 is a member for fixing the prism 22 to the movable part 23, and is made of, for example, the same resin material as the movable part 23. The fixing member 28 is positioned on the positive Z-direction side of the convex portion 221 of the prism 22 in the arrangement portion 235 where the convex portion 221 of the prism 22 is positioned.

[0062] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the fixing member 28 has a contact portion 281 and an extended portion 282.

[0063] Since each fixing member 28 positioned in each arrangement section 235 has the same shape, only the fixing member 28 positioned in the arrangement section 235 on the + side in the Y direction will be described, and the description of the fixing member 28 positioned in the arrangement section 235 on the - side in the Y direction will be omitted. Also, the relationship between the + side and - side in the Y direction for the fixing member 28 on the - side in the Y direction is the opposite of the relationship between the + side and - side in the Y direction for the fixing member 28 on the + side in the Y direction.

[0064] The contact portion 281 is positioned to contact the convex portion 221 of the prism 22, and extends in the X direction. The length of the contact portion 281 in the X direction is longer than the length of the convex portion 221 of the prism 22 in the X direction.

[0065] The contact portion 281 is positioned within the range of the second placement portion 235B such that it is positioned on the positive Z-direction side of the convex portion 221 of the prism 22, which is positioned within the first placement portion 235A. In other words, the contact portion 281 fixes the prism 22 to the movable portion 23 by sandwiching at least a part of the prism 22 between itself and the movable portion 23.

[0066] Furthermore, the contact portion 281 is bonded to the second placement portion 235B of the movable portion 23 with an adhesive that has a higher adhesive strength than the adhesive used to bond the prism 22 and the movable portion 23. Specifically, the contact portion of the contact portion 281 with the second placement portion 235B is bonded to the second placement portion 235B with a thermosetting adhesive.

[0067] The extended portion 282 is the portion that extends from the central portion of the contact portion 281 in the X direction (the portion corresponding to the convex portion 221 and the third placement portion 235C) to the positive side in the Y direction (opposite side from the prism 22). The extended portion 282 is positioned within the third placement portion 235C by engaging with the third placement portion 235C. The extended portion 282 is also bonded to the third placement portion 235C with the same adhesive as the contact portion 281.

[0068] In this way, by providing the fixing member 28, the protrusion 221 of the prism 22 positioned in the first positioning section 235A can be prevented from moving to the positive side in the Z direction and detaching from the first positioning section 235A. As a result, the prism 22 can be firmly fixed to the movable section 23.

[0069] Incidentally, from the perspective of reducing the weight of the optical path bending module, if the prism is made of resin material, fixing the prism to the movable part with adhesive or the like may cause the resin material constituting the prism to deform due to the hardening of the adhesive. Since deformation of the prism (optical path bending portion) affects the bending of the optical path, a configuration is known that reduces the effect on the bending of the optical path by providing a protrusion or other part on the side of the prism for fixing to the movable part.

[0070] However, since the protrusions on the side of the prism are relatively small in proportion to the entire prism, the fixing force when the prism is fixed to the movable part with adhesive or the like is weak. Therefore, problems such as the prism detaching from the movable part may occur if the device on which the camera module 1 is mounted is subjected to an impact such as a fall.

[0071] In contrast, in this embodiment, the fixing member 28 can firmly fix the convex portion 221 of the prism 22 to the movable portion 23. That is, the fixing force of the prism 22 to the movable portion 23 can be reinforced, thereby improving the fixing force of the prism 22 to the movable portion 23.

[0072] Furthermore, the fixing member 28 secures a portion of the prism 22, specifically a protrusion 221 that is different from the optical path bending portion of the prism 22, by sandwiching it between the movable part 23. In other words, by firmly fixing the portion of the prism 22 that is different from the optical path bending portion with the fixing member 28, the amount of adhesive used on the optical path bending portion of the prism 22 can be significantly reduced. As a result, the fixing force of the prism 22 to the movable part 23 can be improved while suppressing deformation of the optical path bending portion due to the hardening of adhesive or the like.

[0073] Furthermore, since the movable part 23 has an arrangement part 235 on which the fixing member 28 and the protrusion 221 can be arranged, the prism 22 and the fixing member 28 can be easily arranged, and the prism 22 can be easily fixed. As a result, the fixing strength of the prism 22 to the movable part 23 can be easily increased.

[0074] Furthermore, since the adhesive strength of the fixing member 28 to the movable part 23 is stronger than the adhesive strength of the prism 22 to the movable part 23, the effect of deformation of the adhesive portion of the prism 22 to the movable part 23 can be further reduced.

[0075] Furthermore, since the fixing member 28 has an extended portion 282 and the movable portion 23 has a third positioning portion 235C where the extended portion 282 is positioned, it is possible to easily position the fixing member 28. As a result, assembly workability can be improved.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the fixing member 28 was fixed to the movable part 23 at the contact portion 281, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 13, the fixing member 28 may have a pair of legs 283 in addition to the contact portion 281.

[0077] The pair of legs 283 are configured to extend from each of the X-direction ends of the contact portion 281 toward the -Z-direction. An insertion portion 235D into which each leg 283 is inserted is provided within the second arrangement portion 235B.

[0078] The insertion portion 235D is formed by recessing from the bottom surface of the second placement portion 235B towards the negative side in the Z direction. Each leg portion 283 is bonded and fixed inside the insertion portion 235D with an adhesive R such as resin.

[0079] By doing so, the fixing member 28 becomes less likely to detach from the movable part 23, making it easier to improve the fixing force of the fixing member 28.

[0080] Furthermore, although the above embodiment included a second arrangement section 235B, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, as shown in Figure 14, a configuration without the second arrangement section 235B is also possible.

[0081] In this configuration, the first arrangement portion 235A has a wider width in the X direction than the convex portion 221, and the convex portion 221 is fixed by adhesive to the wall on the positive side in the Y direction (the wall opposite the prism 22) that constitutes the first arrangement portion 235A.

[0082] Furthermore, the fixing member 28 has a configuration similar to that shown in Figure 13, including a contact portion 281 and a pair of leg portions 283. The insertion portion 235D into which the pair of leg portions 283 are inserted is provided on the bottom surface of the first placement portion 235A.

[0083] Even with this configuration, the contact portion 281 of the fixing member 28 can firmly fix the convex portion 221 of the prism 22.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a portion such as the second arrangement portion 235B, where the contact portion 281 can be arranged, was provided. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the contact portion 281 may be arranged on the positive side surface in the Z direction of the side wall portion 232.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the contact portion 281 was configured such that its length in the X direction was longer than the length of the protrusion 221 in the X direction, and both ends in the X direction were fixed to the side wall portion 232. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the length of the contact portion in the Y direction is configured to be longer than the length of the protrusion in the Y direction, and as long as other parts can be fixed to the side wall portion, the length of the contact portion in the X direction does not have to be longer than the length of the protrusion in the X direction.

[0086] Furthermore, although the fixing member 28 had an extended portion 282 in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the fixing member does not need to have an extended portion.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the convex portion 221 of the prism 22 was provided on both sides in the Y direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided on only one side in the Y direction.

[0088] Furthermore, although the fixing member 28 was made of resin in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be made of metal or the like.

[0089] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, a smartphone, which is a mobile terminal with a camera, was described as an example of a camera-mounted device equipped with a camera module 1. However, the present invention can be applied to a camera-mounted device having a camera module and an image processing unit that processes image information obtained by the camera module. Camera-mounted devices include information equipment and transportation equipment. Information equipment includes, for example, mobile phones with cameras, notebook computers, tablet terminals, portable game consoles, webcams, drones, and in-vehicle devices with cameras (e.g., rearview monitors, drive recorders). Transportation equipment includes, for example, automobiles and drones.

[0090] Figures 15A and 15B show a vehicle V as a camera-mounted device equipped with an in-vehicle camera module VC (Vehicle Camera). Figure 15A is a front view of the vehicle V, and Figure 15B is a rear perspective view of the vehicle V. The vehicle V is equipped with the camera module 1 described in the embodiment as the in-vehicle camera module VC. As shown in Figures 15A and 15B, the in-vehicle camera module VC can be mounted, for example, on the windshield facing forward or on the rear gate facing backward. This in-vehicle camera module VC is used for purposes such as a backup monitor, a drive recorder, collision avoidance control, and autonomous driving control.

[0091] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included.

[0092] All disclosures in the specification, drawings, and abstract contained in the Japanese application No. 2024-195693, filed on November 8, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0093] 1 Camera module, 2 Optical path bending module, 21 Housing section, 211 Bottom wall, 211A Through hole, 212 Side wall, 212A Notch, 22 Prism, 221 Convex section, 23 Movable section, 231 Support wall section, 231A Mounting surface, 231B Recess, 231C Ball placement section, 232 Side wall section, 233 First magnet, 234 Second magnet, 235 Placement section, 235A First placement section, 235B Second placement section, 235C Third placement section, 24 Substrate section, 241 First substrate, 241A First coil, 242 Second substrate, 242A Second coil, 25 Ball guide, 251 Wall section, 252 Support section, 26 Ball, 27 biasing spring, 271 central part, 272 fixing part, 273 connecting part, 28 fixing member, 281 contact part, 282 extension part, 283 leg part, 4 lens module, 41 lens part, 42 lens barrel, 43 lens, M smartphone

Claims

1. A drive device comprising: a resin bending member capable of bending the optical path of incident light; a movable part to which the bending member is fixed; a drive unit for operating the movable part; and a fixing member for fixing the bending member to the movable part by sandwiching at least a part of the bending member between itself and the movable part.

2. The drive device according to claim 1, wherein the bending member has a protrusion that extends from the optical path bending portion, and the fixing member sandwiches the protrusion between itself and the movable portion.

3. The drive device according to claim 2, wherein the movable part has a recessed portion into which the convex portion can be positioned.

4. The drive device according to claim 2, wherein the fixing member includes a contact portion that contacts the protrusion.

5. The drive device according to claim 4, wherein the fixing member includes a pair of legs extending from both ends of the contact portion toward the movable portion, and the movable portion has an insertion portion into which the pair of legs are inserted.

6. The drive device according to claim 4, wherein the fixed member includes an extended portion extending from the contact portion to the side opposite to the bending member, and the movable portion has a positioning portion for positioning the extended portion.

7. The drive device according to claim 4, wherein the protrusion is bonded to the movable part at a portion different from the contact portion, and the contact portion is bonded to the movable part with an adhesive having a higher adhesive strength than the adhesive used to bond the bending member and the movable part.

8. A camera module comprising: a drive device as described in claim 1; a lens unit; and an imaging unit for capturing an image of a subject formed by the lens unit.

9. A camera-mounted device which is an information device or a transport device, comprising: a camera module as described in claim 8; and an image processing unit for processing image information obtained by the camera module.

Images