Shake-Correction Optical Unit FPC Bending Fixation Layout

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical units with shake correction functions face issues of nonconformity and deflection in the band-shaped portions of flexible printed circuit boards when bent, potentially causing damage due to shifting end surfaces and deflected parts during camera module rotation.

Innovation Solution

The optical unit incorporates a wiring board configuration where flexible printed circuit boards are bonded and fixed at specific bent portions, ensuring they overlap with a predetermined gap and thickness direction alignment, suppressing shifts and deflections by using a two-layer and one-layer structure for enhanced bending and fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the band-shaped portion is constituted by a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards that overlap each other with a predetermined gap, then flexibility of the wiring board is improved and load acting on the drive mechanism is reduced, but nonconformity occurs when the band-shaped portion is bent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of wiring boardVSAvoidconformity of band-shaped portion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-bending the flexible printed circuit boards at specific positions (first bent portion and second bent portion) during manufacturing. This preliminary bending creates predetermined curvature in the band-shaped portion, allowing the wiring board to flex smoothly during camera module rotation without causing nonconformity or end surface shifting, while still maintaining the flexibility benefits of the multi-board structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the flexible printed circuit boards are not bonded and fixed at bent portions, then the wiring board can deform freely during rotation, but end surfaces shift and deflection occurs causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation during rotationVSAvoidrisk of damage to wiring board

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-bending the flexible printed circuit boards at specific positions (first bent portion and second bent portion) during manufacturing. This preliminary bending creates predetermined curvature in the band-shaped portion, allowing the wiring board to flex smoothly during camera module rotation without causing nonconformity or end surface shifting, while still maintaining the flexibility benefits of the multi-board structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by bonding and fixing the flexible printed circuit boards at the bent portions before the wiring board is installed in the camera module. This pre-fixation cushions against potential damage by preventing end surface shifting and deflection during subsequent rotation operations, protecting the wiring board from harm while allowing necessary deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS12566337B2Optical unit with shake correction function

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 NIDEC INSTR CORP

AI summary

In this optical unit with a shake correction function, a band-shaped portion is constituted by a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards overlapping each other with a predetermined gap, and is bent at a boundary between a first band-shaped portion and a second band-shaped portion and at a boundary between the second band-shaped portion and a third band-shaped portion. The plurality of flexible printed circuit boards are bonded and fixed to each other at least at one of the first bent portion and the second bent portion.