Optical Unit Shake Correction Flexible Circuit Board Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical units with shake correction functions for cameras, such as those in cell phones, face challenges in minimizing the size and maximizing the effectiveness of shake correction due to the displacement of movable modules and flexible circuit boards, leading to increased space requirements and potential interference with gyroscope operations.
Innovation Solution
The optical unit incorporates a movable module swingably supported at a midway position with a flexible circuit board design featuring extended and curved parts to minimize force application, allowing for reduced size and preventing interference with the gyroscope, while a spacer and clamp member configuration ensures secure attachment without adhesives and maintains heat radiation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the movable module is swingably supported at a midway position in the optical axis direction, then the size of the optical unit in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis is reduced, but the flexible circuit board applies a larger unnecessary force to the movable module due to larger displacement of the rear side end part
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit board is designed with a curved shape including a first curved part that curves toward the rear side in the optical axis direction, and a second curved part that curves toward the front side. This curvature allows the circuit board to accommodate the larger displacement of the rear side end part when the movable module swings around the midway position, reducing unnecessary force application while maintaining electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible circuit board extends not only in the optical axis direction but also in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, creating a multi-dimensional path. The first extended part and second extended part extend in directions intersecting the optical axis, allowing the circuit board to follow the swing motion of the movable module without applying excessive force.
2Force
If the movable module is swingably supported at a rear side position in the optical axis direction, then the flexible circuit board applies less force to the movable module, but a sufficient space is required around the movable module perpendicular to the optical axis, increasing the overall size
Solution Approach 1:
The curved configuration of the flexible circuit board with first and second curved parts allows it to efficiently utilize the available space around the movable module, accommodating swing motion while maintaining a compact overall structure that minimizes the size in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
3Force
If the flexible circuit board is largely curved in a C-shape and extended in parallel with the rear side end face, then unnecessary force application is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit board is divided into multiple functional parts: a leading-out part, a first extended part, a first curved part, a second extended part, and a fixed part. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function (extension, curving, fixing) efficiently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining the ability to reduce unnecessary force application.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the flexible circuit board have different configurations optimized for their specific functions. The first extended part extends in a direction intersecting the optical axis, the first curved part curves toward the rear side, and the second extended part extends toward one side. This local optimization reduces overall structural complexity while effectively minimizing force application.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical unit may include a movable module holding an optical element having an optical axis; a fixed body comprising; a support mechanism swingably supporting the movable module; a drive mechanism structured to swing the movable module; and a flexible circuit board connected with the movable module and fixed body. The flexible circuit board may include a leading-out part extending from the movable module on a first side of the optical axis; a first extended part extending from the leading-out part to a second side of the optical axis; a first curved part which is curved from a tip end side of the first extended part toward a rear side; a second extended part extending from the first curved part toward the first side; and a fixed part of the second extended part connected with the fixed body on the first side of optical axis.