阅读说明：本技术 带抖动修正功能的光学单元 (Optical unit with shake correction function ) 是由 须江猛 五明正人 南泽伸司 于 2019-08-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：将配置于可动体内的拍摄元件的热传递到外部来散热。具备：光学元件及位于该光学元件的光轴上的拍摄元件；支承所述光学元件及所述拍摄元件的可动体；固定体；将可动体以绕光轴转动自如的方式支承于所述固定体的滚动支承机构；以及使可动体与抖动相对应地绕光轴转动的滚动修正用驱动机构,在可动体和固定体之间设置有连接它们的具有弹性或粘弹性的导热部件。(The heat of an imaging element disposed in a movable body is transferred to the outside to be radiated. The disclosed device is provided with: an optical element and a photographing element located on an optical axis of the optical element; a movable body supporting the optical element and the imaging element; a fixed body; a rolling support mechanism for supporting the movable body to the fixed body so as to be rotatable about an optical axis; and a rolling correction drive mechanism for rotating the movable body around the optical axis in accordance with the shake, wherein a heat conductive member having elasticity or viscoelasticity for connecting the movable body and the fixed body is provided between the movable body and the fixed body.)

1. An optical unit with a shake correction function,

the disclosed device is provided with: the optical element and the shooting element are positioned on the optical axis of the optical element; a movable body supporting the optical element and the imaging element; a fixed body; a rolling support mechanism that supports the movable body to the fixed body so as to be rotatable about the optical axis; and a rolling correction drive mechanism for rotating the movable body around the optical axis in accordance with a shake,

a heat conductive member having elasticity or viscoelasticity is provided between the movable body and the fixed body to connect them.

2. The optical unit with shake correcting function according to claim 1,

the fixed body has a bottom plate portion disposed on the opposite side of the movable body from the object, and the heat-conducting member is provided between the bottom plate portion of the fixed body and the movable body.

3. An optical unit with a shake correcting function according to claim 2,

the bottom of the movable body is open, the circuit board on which the imaging element is mounted is disposed on the bottom of the movable body, and the heat-conducting member is provided in a state of connecting the bottom plate portion of the fixed body and the circuit board.

4. The optical unit with shake correcting function according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the heat-conducting member is provided at a position overlapping with the imaging element when viewed from the optical axis direction.

5. The optical unit with shake correcting function according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the heat-conducting member is circular when viewed from the optical axis direction.

6. The optical unit with shake correcting function according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the heat-conducting member is a quadrangle as viewed from the optical axis direction.

7. The optical unit with shake correcting function according to claim 1,

the fixed body is provided with a plurality of side plate portions surrounding the movable body, and the heat-conducting member is provided between the side plate portions of the fixed body and a portion of the movable body facing the side plate portions.

8. An optical unit with a shake correcting function according to claim 7,

a heat dissipation plate extending from a bottom portion to a side surface of the movable body is provided, and the heat conductive member is provided between the heat dissipation plate and the side plate portion of the fixed body.

9. The optical unit with shake correcting function according to claim 7 or 8,

in the heat conductive member, a dimension in the optical axis direction is larger than a dimension in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction.

10. The optical unit with shake correcting function according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the heat-conducting member is provided between the movable body and the fixed body at a portion that is mainly subjected to only a shearing force when the shake correction is performed.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an optical unit with shake correction function for correcting shake of an optical element (lens) mounted on a mobile terminal with a camera or the like.

Background

In an optical unit used in an optical device such as an imaging device mounted on a portable terminal, a drive recorder, an unmanned helicopter, or the like, in order to suppress disturbance of a captured image due to a shake, a function of correcting the shake by swinging an optical element to cancel the shake has been developed. In the shake correction function, the following structure is adopted: the optical element is supported so as to be movable relative to a fixed body constituted by a housing of the optical apparatus, and the optical element is moved by a drive mechanism for shake correction in accordance with shake.

For example, in patent document 1, a holder holding a lens (optical element) is connected to a fixed body by a plurality of wires along an optical axis direction, and is supported so as to be movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction, and a drive mechanism for driving the holder in a first direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction and a drive mechanism for driving the holder in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction and the first direction are provided between the holder and the fixed body. As these drive mechanisms, the following structures are adopted: the magnetic circuit includes a magnet and a coil, and drives the holding body by causing an electric current to flow through the coil in a magnetic field of the magnet and causing an electromagnetic force to act on the holding body.

On the other hand, in patent document 2, the optical element is supported to be swingable in the support body by the gimbal mechanism having fulcrums provided in two directions orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the optical element, and the support body is supported to be rotatable about the optical axis by the rolling drive mechanism, so that the rolling can be corrected together with the pitch (pitch) and yaw (yaw) of the optical module.

However, in such an optical apparatus, an imaging element that converts an image from the optical element into an electric signal is disposed on an optical axis with respect to the optical element. Since the imaging element is an electronic component, heat is generated by the operation. In recent years, the number of pixels has increased, and thus, in particular, heat generation of an imaging element has become a problem.

As a structure for dissipating heat generated in an image pickup device, for example, in patent document 3, in an interchangeable lens digital camera, a heat transfer plate is provided so as to be in contact with the image pickup device of a lens unit and the back surface of a substrate, and a heat transfer plate cover covers the heat transfer plate, and if the lens unit is attached to a camera head body, the heat transfer plate cover moves in the optical axis direction in conjunction with the attachment operation, and accordingly, a projection formed on the heat transfer plate protrudes from a through hole of the heat transfer plate cover, whereby the heat transfer plate and a heat sink are brought into contact with each other via the projection, and heat generated from the image pickup device is transferred to the camera head body and dissipated.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-113009

Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2015-82072

Patent document 3: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-65140

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

However, in the optical unit with the shake correction function, since the image pickup device is provided in the movable body, it is difficult to transfer heat to the outside.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to transfer heat of an imaging element disposed in a movable body to the outside and dissipate the heat.

Technical scheme for solving technical problem

An optical unit with a shake correction function according to the present invention includes: the optical element and the shooting element are positioned on the optical axis of the optical element; a movable body supporting the optical element and the imaging element; a fixed body; a rolling support mechanism that supports the movable body to the fixed body so as to be rotatable about the optical axis; and a rolling correction drive mechanism for rotating the movable body around the optical axis in accordance with a shake, wherein a heat conductive member having elasticity or viscoelasticity for connecting the movable body and the fixed body is provided between the movable body and the fixed body.

The heat-conducting member has elasticity or viscoelasticity, and therefore, the heat of the imaging element can be released to the fixed body without interfering with the movement of the movable body.

In one embodiment of the optical unit with shake correction function, the fixed body has a bottom plate portion disposed on the opposite side of the movable body from the object, and the heat-conducting member is provided between the bottom plate portion of the fixed body and the movable body.

When the movable body is rolled, the heat-conducting member can be disposed at the center of the rolling or at a position close to the center of the rolling, and an increase in torque required for rolling drive can be suppressed, thereby reducing power consumption.

In another embodiment of the optical unit with shake correction function, a bottom of the movable body is open, a circuit board on which the imaging element is mounted is disposed on the bottom of the movable body, and the heat-conducting member is provided in a state of connecting the bottom plate portion of the fixed body and the circuit board.

Since the heat of the image pickup element is transmitted from the circuit board on which the image pickup element is mounted, the heat of the image pickup element can be directly released, and the heat dissipation performance is excellent.

In still another embodiment of the optical unit with shake correction function, the heat-conducting member is provided at a position overlapping with the imaging element when viewed from the optical axis direction.

When the movable body is rolled, the heat-conducting member can be disposed at the center of the rolling or at a position close to the center of the rolling, and an increase in torque required for rolling drive can be suppressed, thereby reducing power consumption. Further, since the heat transfer path from the imaging element to the heat conductive member is shortened, the heat radiation performance is also excellent.

In another embodiment of the optical unit with shake correction function, the heat-conducting member is circular when viewed from the optical axis direction. If the heat-conducting member is circular, deformation such as rolling is facilitated, and power consumption is effectively reduced.

The heat-conducting member may be a quadrilateral when viewed from the optical axis direction. Since the image pickup element is formed in a rectangular shape, the heat conductive member is formed in a rectangular shape, so that a large area overlapping the image pickup element can be secured, and heat dissipation can be improved.

In still another embodiment of the optical unit with shake correction function, the fixed body may be provided with a plurality of side plate portions surrounding the periphery of the movable body, and the heat-conducting member may be provided between the side plate portions of the fixed body and a portion of the movable body facing the side plate portions. Since the gap for moving the movable body is provided between the movable body and the side plate portion of the fixed body and the heat-conducting member is disposed in the gap, an increase in size can be suppressed.

In the optical unit with shake correction function, a heat dissipation plate may be provided to extend from a bottom portion to a side surface of the movable body, and the heat conductive member may be provided between the heat dissipation plate and the side plate portion of the fixed body.

The heat of the imaging element can be quickly transmitted to the heat-conducting member through the heat-radiating plate, and the heat radiation performance can be improved.

In the optical unit with shake correction function, it is preferable that the dimension in the optical axis direction of the heat-conducting member is larger than the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction.

Although a spring or the like is used to support the movable body, the movable body may be supported by a heat-conducting member, and the movable body may be prevented from hanging down when the optical axis is directed in the gravity direction.

In still another embodiment of the optical unit with shake correction function, the heat-conducting member is preferably provided between the movable body and the fixed body at a portion that is mainly subjected to a shearing force when shake correction is performed.

Since the heat-conductive member has elasticity or viscoelasticity, it can return to its original posture even if it is deformed when the shake correction is performed. In this case, particularly in the case where the heat conductive member has viscoelasticity, if the heat conductive member is largely crushed, the function may be deteriorated, but if the heat conductive member is mainly in a state where a shear force acts, the function of viscoelasticity can be effectively maintained.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the heat of the imaging element can be released to the fixed body without inhibiting the movement of the movable body by the heat conductive member having elasticity or viscoelasticity.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an optical unit with a shake correction function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the optical unit with shake correction function according to the first embodiment as viewed from the object side.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the optical unit with shake correction function according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the side opposite to the subject with the frame and the stopper plate removed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the optical unit with shake correction function according to the first embodiment in an exploded manner along the optical axis.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion different from fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a partially-omitted cross-sectional view of the optical unit with shake correction function of the first embodiment cut along an X-Z plane passing through the optical axis.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the outer case removed from the state shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the elastic member.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of the inner side of the intermediate case in the movable body.

Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view along the optical axis direction of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the X-axis direction drive mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the optical unit with shake correction function according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the object side with the housing removed.

Fig. 13 is a bottom view of the optical unit with shake correction function of fig. 12, from which the stopper plate is removed, as viewed from the side opposite to the object.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a part of the optical unit with the shake correction function of fig. 12 exploded along the optical axis.

Fig. 15 is a partially-omitted cross-sectional view of the optical unit with shake correction function of fig. 12 cut along an X-Z plane passing through the optical axis.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an optical unit with a shake correction function according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, three directions orthogonal to each other are referred to as an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis direction, and in a stationary state, an optical axis L (an optical axis of an optical element) is arranged along the Z-axis direction. Note that + X is given to one side in the X-axis direction, X is given to the other side, Y is given to one side in the Y-axis direction, Y is given to the other side, Z is given to one side in the Z-axis direction (the object side/the front side in the optical axis direction), and Z is given to the other side (the opposite side to the object side/the rear side in the optical axis direction). The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are sometimes referred to as the lateral direction.

< first embodiment >

(schematic configuration of optical unit 101 with shake correction function)

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an optical unit with a shake correction function (hereinafter, simply referred to as an optical unit) 101 according to a first embodiment, and a part of a housing is shown in a rectangular plate shape. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the optical unit 101 as viewed from the object side (+ Z side in the Z-axis direction). Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the optical unit 101, with the frame and some parts removed, as viewed from the side opposite to the subject (the side opposite to the subject; the-Z side in the Z-axis direction). Fig. 4 and 5 are perspective views partially showing the optical unit 101 along the optical axis L. Fig. 6 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view of the optical unit 101 along the X-Z plane (omitting the support structure of the optical element 110, etc.).

The optical unit 101 is a thin camera mounted on an optical device (not shown) such as an imaging device mounted on a mobile terminal, a drive recorder, an unmanned helicopter, or the like, and is mounted in a state of being supported by a housing of the optical device. The optical unit 101 includes: an optical element 110, an image pickup element 111 positioned on an optical axis L of the optical element 110, a movable body 10 supporting the optical element 110 and the image pickup element 111, a fixed body 20 surrounding the movable body 10, a rolling support mechanism 30 supporting the movable body 10 on the fixed body 20 so as to be rotatable about the optical axis L, and a rolling correction drive mechanism 40 rotating the movable body 10 relative to the fixed body 20 about the optical axis L.

Further, the movable body 10 includes, inside thereof: an X-axis direction driving mechanism 80 that moves the optical element 110 in the X-axis direction when viewed in the optical axis L direction, a Y-axis direction driving mechanism 90 that moves the optical element 110 in the Y-axis direction when viewed in the optical axis L direction, and a focusing mechanism (not shown) that moves the optical element 110 in the optical axis L (Z-axis) direction with respect to the imaging element 111.

(Structure of fixed body 20)

As shown in fig. 1, 2, and the like, the fixed body 20 includes a square-tube-shaped outer case 210 surrounding the movable body 10, and a frame 220 for fixing the outer case 210. Fig. 1 and the like show a plate-like portion (denoted by reference numeral 220) constituting a part of the housing 220, and the plate-like portion 220 is provided on the opposite side of the subject with respect to the outer case 210 of the fixed body 20 and constitutes a bottom plate portion of the fixed body 20. As shown in fig. 2, the outer case 210 is formed in a rectangular frame shape having four side plate portions 211 as viewed in the Z-axis direction. The lower end (the end on the other side Z in the Z-axis direction) of the side plate portion 211 is fixed to the surface of the plate-shaped portion (frame) 220 of the outer case 210. In the embodiment, the four side plate portions 211 are arranged along the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction.

Further, one end portion of the elastic member 31 constituting the rolling support mechanism 30 and the rolling coil 42 constituting the rolling correction drive mechanism 40 are fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the outer case 210.

(Structure of the Movable body 10)

The movable body 10 includes: an optical element (lens group) 110, an imaging element 111, a square inner case 12 holding the optical element 110, a square intermediate case 13 further surrounding the inner case 12, a square tubular frame 14 integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate case 13, and a circuit board 15.

A focus drive mechanism, not shown, is provided between the optical element 110 and the inner case 12. Further, a housing support mechanism 70 that supports the inner housing 12 to be movable in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction when viewed in the optical axis L (Z-axis) direction, an X-axis direction drive mechanism 80 that moves the inner housing 12 in the X-axis direction, and a Y-axis direction drive mechanism 90 that moves the inner housing 12 in the Y-axis direction are provided between the inner housing 12 and the intermediate housing 13. Details regarding the structure of the inner side of the intermediate housing 13 will be described later.

In the intermediate case 13, a top plate 133 having a hole 132 at the center is integrally formed at one end (the + Z side in the Z axis direction) of the square tubular side plate 131.

The frame 14 is formed in a rectangular tube shape surrounding the outer periphery of the intermediate case 13, and is integrated in a state in which the inner surfaces of the side plate portions 141 on the four sides thereof are in close contact with the outer surfaces of the side plate portions 131 of the intermediate case 13. As shown in fig. 4 and 7, two rib-like protrusions 142 and notches 143 disposed therebetween are formed at four corners of the frame 14 along the Z-axis direction, and the protrusions 142 and notches 143 are formed radially outward in directions along the diagonal lines of the quadrangle (directions at 45 ° from the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction). Further, one end surface (-Z-side end surface) of one of the two protrusions 142 in the Z-axis direction is provided with an end plate portion 144 so as to protrude into the notch 143. The end plate 144 has a front end disposed on a diagonal line of the frame 14.

A rectangular circuit board 15 is fixed to the Z-Z side (the opposite side to the object) of the intermediate case 13 in the Z-axis direction so as to close the opening of the intermediate case 13, and constitutes the bottom of the movable body 10. The circuit board 15 is formed of, for example, epoxy glass in which glass fibers are impregnated with epoxy resin, and the outer peripheral end thereof when viewed from the optical axis L is arranged parallel to the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. The imaging element 111 is mounted at the center of the circuit board 15 and held toward the inside of the intermediate case 13. A sensor such as a gyroscope (angular velocity sensor) for detecting a change in the inclination of the optical element 110, a drive circuit or a control circuit for driving or controlling the X-axis direction drive mechanism 80 and the Y-axis direction drive mechanism 90, and the like are mounted on the circuit board 15.

In addition, the flexible wiring substrate 151 is connected to the circuit substrate 15 and led out to the outside.

The circuit board 15 is disposed at a distance from the plate-shaped portion 220 of the housing, and a connector (heat-conducting member) 16 made of a heat-conducting material for connecting the circuit board 15 and the plate-shaped portion 220 is provided in the distance.

In the figure, reference numeral 215 denotes a frame-shaped stopper plate fixed to the inner peripheral portion of the outer case 210 of the fixed body 20, and restricts the movement of the frame 14 of the movable body 10 to the-Z side in the Z-axis direction.

(Structure of Rolling support mechanism 30)

In embodiment 1, the rolling support mechanism 30 is configured by four elastic members 31 (see fig. 4). These elastic members 31 are plate springs 31 (the same reference numerals as the elastic members are used) that are bent and deformed about the optical axis L.

As shown in fig. 8, each plate spring 31 is formed into a U-shape by press-forming or the like of an elastic plate material, and has two ends 311 and 312 bent at 90 °. The both end portions 311, 312 have a wider area than the U-shaped portion 313 for attachment to other members, and are formed with holes 314 for screwing.

As shown in fig. 3, the plate spring 31 is fixed so as to connect the inner peripheral portion of the outer case 210 of the fixed body 20 and the outer peripheral portion of the frame 14 of the movable body 10.

In this case, a notch 213, which is rectangular when viewed from the Z-axis direction, is formed in the inner peripheral portion of the outer case 210 in a direction at 45 ° to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In other words, notches 213 are formed at four diagonal positions of the inner peripheral portion of the outer case 210. On the other hand, as described above, the notch 143 is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the frame 14 in the direction of 45 ° with respect to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The outer case 210 and the frame 14 are each formed in a square tube shape, and when the frame 14 is disposed in the outer case 210, the side plate portions 211 and 141 are disposed parallel to each other along the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, the notch portion 213 of the outer case 210 and the notch portion 143 of the frame 14 face each other at each diagonal position, and the end plate portion 144 of the frame 14 is disposed in a space portion formed by the notch portions 213 and 143 at an end portion on the-Z side in the Z-axis direction.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3 and 5, in the plate spring 31, the U-shaped portion 313 is disposed in each of the notches 213 of the outer case 210, one end 311 of the both ends is fixed to one end surface (end surface on the-Z side in the Z-axis direction) of the outer case 210, and the other end 312 is fixed to one end surface (end surface on the-Z side in the Z-axis direction) of the end plate portion 144 of the frame 14 disposed in the notch 213 of the outer case 210. Since the front end edge of the end plate portion 144 is arranged along the diagonal line of the frame 14, the U-shaped portion 313 of the plate spring 31 is arranged at the center position of each notch portion 213 of the outer case 210 in the direction of 45 ° with respect to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The U-shaped portion 313 is bent and deformed with respect to the rotation of the housing 14 about the optical axis L, thereby allowing the rotation of the housing (movable body) 13 about the optical axis L. The bending deformation of the plate spring 31 is a deformation in which both ends of the U-shaped portion 313 are displaced so as to open in a direction (thickness direction) substantially perpendicular to the surface thereof. When no external force is applied to the frame 14, the U-shaped portion 313 of the plate spring 31 returns to a flat plate shape, and the frame 14 and the outer case 210 return to the initial positions where the side plate portions 141 and 211 of the frame 14 and the outer case 210 are arranged parallel to each other.

The fixation of the plate spring 31 to the frame 14 and the outer case 210 is not limited to the screw fastening, and may be performed by adhesion, fitting, locking, or the like of both.

(Structure of drive mechanism for Rolling correction 40)

As shown in fig. 4, the rolling correction drive mechanism 40 is constituted by a magnetic drive mechanism having a rolling magnet 41 and a rolling coil 42 capable of generating an electromagnetic force in a magnetic field of the rolling magnet 41.

In the present embodiment, a combination of two sets of one rolling magnet 41 and one rolling coil 42 facing the one rolling magnet 41 is provided at an interval of 180 ° in the circumferential direction of the optical axis L. Specifically, rectangular notches 145 are formed in the housing 14 at 180 ° intervals in the circumferential direction of the optical axis L, and the rolling magnet 41 is accommodated in the notches 145. Further, a rolling coil 42 is fixed to the inner peripheral portion of the outer case 210 so as to face the rolling magnet 41 of the housing 14. The two rolling magnets 41 are disposed on the Y axis passing through the optical axis L. The rolling magnet 41 is magnetized to have different magnetic poles in the X-axis direction, and the magnetization polarization line 411 is arranged along the Z-axis direction. The two rolling magnets 41 are formed to have the same thickness and the same planar shape.

On the other hand, the rolling coil 42 is an air-core coil having no core (iron core), and is formed in a ring shape with the Y-axis direction as the axial direction of the coil by a winding. Each rolling coil 42 is formed in an oblong shape having two long side portions 421 formed at intervals in the X-axis direction in a plan view and two arc-shaped short side portions 422 connecting both ends of the long side portions 421. As described above, the rolling magnet 41 is magnetized to have different magnetic poles in the X-axis direction, and the different magnetic poles are disposed so as to face each of the two long side portions 421 of the rolling coil 42. That is, the long side 421 of the rolling coil 42 is used as an effective side facing the magnetic pole of the rolling magnet 41. The two long sides 421 of the rolling coil 42 are arranged at equal distances from the magnetized polarized lines 411 of the rolling magnet 41.

In the rolling correction drive mechanism 40, if a current is caused to flow through the rolling coil 42, the electromagnetic force is caused to act on the magnet 41 on either the + X side or the-X side in the X-axis direction according to fleming's left-hand rule, and the frame 14 (movable body 10) is rotated around the optical axis L by the combination of the two sets of magnets 41 and coils 42.

(Structure of connecting body 16)

In fig. 3, 5, and 6, the connecting body 16 provided between the circuit board 15 integrated with the movable body 10 and the plate-shaped portion (housing) 220 of the fixed body 20 is used to transfer heat generated in the imaging element 111 mounted on the circuit board 15 to the fixed body 20, and has elasticity or viscoelasticity so as not to hinder the movement of the movable body 10. In the illustrated example, the outer shape is formed in a square plate shape, the center of the outer shape is disposed on the optical axis L, and four sides of the outer circumference are disposed along the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. The circuit board 15 has an imaging element 111 provided on the surface opposite to the connecting body 16 on the optical axis L. The image pickup device 111 is formed in a square shape in a plan view (viewed from the Z-axis direction), and the connecting body 16 is disposed at a position overlapping the image pickup device 111 on the optical axis L such that four sides of the image pickup device 11 and four sides of the connecting body 16 are parallel to each other. In the embodiment, the four sides of the imaging element 11 and the four sides of the connecting body 16 are arranged along the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction.

In the present embodiment, the connecting body 16 is a viscoelastic member. Viscoelasticity is a property of combining both viscosity and elasticity, and is a property which is remarkably seen in a polymer substance such as a gel-like material, plastic, rubber, or the like. Therefore, various gel-like members can be used as the viscoelastic member. In addition, various rubber materials such as natural rubber, diene rubber (e.g., styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber), chloroprene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, etc.), non-diene rubber (e.g., butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, etc.), thermoplastic elastomer, etc., and modified materials thereof may be used as the viscoelastic member.

In the present embodiment, the connecting body 16 is made of silicone gel having a penetration degree of 90 to 110 degrees. The penetration is a value represented by 1/10mm unit of the depth of 5 seconds penetration of a 1/4 conical needle to which a total load of 9.38g was applied at 25 ℃ as defined in JIS-K-2207 or JIS-K-2220, and the smaller the value, the harder the value.

In order to improve the thermal conductivity, the connecting body 16 may be formed by mixing a powder of a metal or carbon having a high thermal conductivity with a viscoelastic material.

In the case of roll correction, the connecting body 16 is deformed in a direction (shearing direction) intersecting the thickness direction (optical axis L direction). In either direction, the strain is a strain in the direction in which the strain is stretched and elongated.

(construction of the inner side of the middle case 13 in the movable body 10)

As described above, the optical element (lens group) 110, the imaging element 111, the inner case 12 having a rectangular shape for holding the optical element 110, the focus drive mechanism (not shown) for moving the optical element 110 in the optical axis direction, the case support mechanism 70 for supporting the inner case 12, the X-axis direction drive mechanism 80, and the Y-axis direction drive mechanism 90 are provided in the intermediate case 13 of the movable body 10. Fig. 9 and 10 show the inner structure of the intermediate case 13.

The case support mechanism 70 includes two springs (a front side spring 71 and a rear side spring 72) and a plurality of wires 73.

The optical element 110 is held by a sleeve-shaped lens holder 112 and is mostly accommodated in the inner case 12, but its tip end (one + Z-side end in the Z-axis direction) protrudes from the inner case 12 in the Z-axis direction + Z, and the protruding end is fixed to the inner peripheral portion of the front spring 71. A rear end portion (the other Z-side end portion in the Z-axis direction, not shown) of the lens holder 112 is fixed to an inner peripheral portion of the rear spring 72, and is supported by an inner peripheral portion of the inner housing 12 via the rear spring 72.

The front side spring 71 and the rear side spring 72 are formed in a plate shape and are formed in a shape that can be elastically deformed so that the inner circumferential portions 71a and 72a can move in the plate thickness direction (Z-axis direction and optical axis L direction) with respect to the outer circumferential portions 71b and 72b, and the optical element 110 (lens holding frame 112) is supported by the front side spring 71 and the rear side spring 72 so as to be movable in the optical axis L direction. The optical element 110 is moved in the direction of the optical axis L by a focus drive mechanism, not shown, provided between the inner case 12 and the optical element 110.

The front spring 71 is integrally formed with a protruding portion 711 protruding in a direction toward four corners of the inner case 12, that is, in a direction inclined by 45 ° with respect to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Further, the ends of the four leads 73 disposed outside the four corners of the inner case 12 are fixed to the circuit board 15 disposed on the-Z side in the Z-axis direction with respect to the inner case 12. These lead wires 73 extend in the Z-axis direction + Z, and a protruding portion 711 of the front spring 71 is fixed to the tip thereof.

When viewed from one of the Z-axis directions + Z, the lead wires 73 connecting the front spring 71 and the circuit board 15 are arranged at four corners of a quadrangle having sides in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Therefore, in the optical element 110, the front side spring 71 fixed to the front end portion thereof is supported by the lead wire 73 on the circuit board 15, and is supported by bending deformation of the lead wire 73 so as to be movable in the substantially X-axis direction and the substantially Y-axis direction about the fixed point of the lead wire 73 on the circuit board 15.

Further, an X-axis direction drive mechanism 80 and a Y-axis direction drive mechanism 90 are provided between the inner case 12 and the coil holder 17 integrated with the intermediate case 13. In this case, the X-axis direction drive mechanisms 80 are disposed on both sides of the optical axis L in the Y-axis direction of the inner case 12, and the Y-axis direction drive mechanisms 90 are disposed on both sides of the optical axis L in the X-axis direction of the inner case 12.

The X-axis direction drive mechanism 80 and the Y-axis direction drive mechanism 90 are each constituted by a combination of magnets 81 and 91 and coils 82 and 92.

The magnet 81 of the X-axis direction drive mechanism 80 and the magnet 91 of the Y-axis direction drive mechanism 90 are fixed to the outer surface of each side plate portion 121 of the inner case 12.

On the other hand, a rectangular frame-shaped coil holder 17 protruding outward from the inner case 12 is fixed to the circuit board 15, a plurality of coils 82, 92 are fixed to the coil holder 17 so as to surround the outside of the inner case 12, and the coils 82, 92 face the magnets 81, 91 on the outer surface of the inner case 12. Since the circuit board 15 is fixed to the intermediate case 13, the coils 82 and 83 are fixed to the intermediate case 13.

The coils 82 and 92 are wound in an oblong flat plate shape, and a total of eight coils 82 and 92 are fixed to each side portion of the rectangular frame-shaped coil holder 17 so as to be arranged in two rows. In this case, the coils 82 and 92 are arranged such that one short side parts 821 and 921 of the oval shapes are fixed to the coil holder 17, and two of them face each side surface of the inner case 12. Therefore, the two long sides 822 and 922 are arranged along the Z-axis direction, except for the short sides 821 and 921 at the upper and lower ends of the coils 82 and 92.

Four rectangular plate-shaped magnets 81 and 91 are provided on each side surface of the inner case 12. That is, four magnets 81 and 91 are disposed on each side surface of the inner case, and each magnet 81 and 91 is opposed to the long side portions 822 and 922 on which two coils 82 and 92 are disposed. The N-pole and S-pole of the four magnets 81, 91 are alternately arranged. For example, in the combination of the magnet 81 and the coil 82 of the X-axis direction drive mechanism 80 shown in fig. 11, the surface of the leftmost magnet 81 facing the coil 82 is magnetized to the N-pole, and the surface of the next magnet 81 facing the coil 82 is magnetized to the S-pole, and is alternately magnetized to the N-pole and the S-pole in this order. Therefore, in one coil 82, the magnet 81 magnetized to the N-pole and the magnet 81 magnetized to the S-pole are disposed so as to face the two long sides 822, respectively.

The X-axis direction drive mechanism 80 for moving the inner case 12 in the substantially X-axis direction is constituted by a combination of the magnets 81 and the coils 82 arranged on both sides of the inner case 12 in the Y-axis direction, and the Y-axis direction drive mechanism 90 for moving the inner case 12 in the Y-axis direction is constituted by a combination of the magnets 91 and the coils 92 arranged on both sides of the inner case 12 in the X-axis direction.

That is, when a current is caused to flow through the coil 82, the magnet 81 and the coil 82 of the X-axis direction driving mechanism 80 cause an electromagnetic force to act on the magnet 81 toward either of the + X side and the-X side in the X-axis direction according to the fleming's left-hand rule, and the inner case 12 is moved in the X-axis direction by the combination of the two sets of the magnet 81 and the coil 82. In the example shown in fig. 11, the magnet 81 is moved in the right direction in the figure.

On the other hand, when a current is caused to flow through the coil 92, the magnet 91 and the coil 92 of the Y-axis direction driving mechanism 90 cause an electromagnetic force to act on the magnet 91 toward either of the + Y side and the-Y side in the Y-axis direction according to fleming's left-hand rule, and the inner housing 12 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the combination of the two sets of the magnet 91 and the coil 92.

In this case, since the inner case 12 is supported by the lead wire 73 via the front side spring 71, the lead wire 73 is bent to move in the substantially X-axis direction and the substantially Y-axis direction around the fixed point of the lead wire 73 on the circuit board 15.

In fig. 10, reference numeral 18 denotes a sensor protection cover surrounding the periphery of the imaging element 111 on the upper surface of the circuit board 15, and reference numeral 19 denotes a spacer provided between the inner case and the front side spring.

(Main action)

In the optical unit 101 configured as described above, the optical element 110 can be moved in the front-rear and left-right directions (the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction) together with the inner case 12 by the X-axis direction driving mechanism 80 and the Y-axis direction driving mechanism 90. Therefore, the shift of the captured image in the direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis L due to the shake can be corrected. During the movement in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, the circuit board 15 on which the imaging element 111 is mounted does not move.

On the other hand, the intermediate housing 13 can be rotated about the optical axis L by the roll correction drive mechanism 40. Therefore, when a shift around the optical axis L occurs in the captured image due to the shake, the shake around the optical axis L can be corrected by the roll correction drive mechanism 40.

In the optical unit 101, the image pickup device 111 disposed in the movable body 10 generates heat, but a connecting body 16 for connecting the circuit board 15 on which the image pickup device 111 is mounted and the plate-shaped portion (housing) 220 is provided between them, and since the connecting body 16 has thermal conductivity, the heat generated in the image pickup device 111 can be quickly transmitted to the plate-shaped portion 220 and dissipated to the fixed body 20. Further, since the connecting body 16 is provided on the opposite side of the image pickup element 111 with the circuit board 15 interposed therebetween, the heat of the image pickup element 111 is quickly transmitted to the connecting body 16, and the heat dissipation performance is excellent.

Further, since the connecting body 16 is disposed on the optical axis L, it is twisted around the optical axis L when performing the roll correction, but since it acts only as a shear force, the function of the viscosity or viscoelasticity of the connecting body 16 can be effectively maintained. Of course, the rotation of the roll correction is less obstructed by the connecting body 16. Therefore, an increase in torque required for the roll correction can be suppressed, and the power consumption can be reduced.

In addition, the connecting body 16 may be formed in a circular shape when viewed from the direction of the optical axis L, and in this case, deformation of the connecting body 16 around the optical axis L is also facilitated, and resistance to twisting during the roll correction is also reduced.

Even when the connecting body 16 is formed in a rectangular shape, it can be formed in an area larger than the area of the imaging element 111 along the optical axis L direction, and heat can be transferred and radiated from the entire surface of the imaging element 111.

< second embodiment >

Fig. 11 to 14 show a second embodiment of the optical unit with shake correction function according to the present invention. In these drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The frame 220 and the stopper plate 215 described in the first embodiment are not shown.

In the second embodiment, the heat sink 161 is provided from the back surface of the circuit board 15 to the one side plate portion 141 of the housing 14, and the connector (heat-conducting member) 162 is provided between the heat sink 161 and the one side plate portion 211 of the outer case 210.

The heat sink 161 is formed of a metal plate having high thermal conductivity, for example, a copper plate, and is formed in an L-shape in which a bottom plate portion 161a fixed to the circuit board 15 in a close contact state and a side plate portion 161b fixed to one side plate portion 141 of the housing 14 in a close contact state are integrated. As shown in fig. 12, the bottom plate portion 161a is formed in a rectangular plate shape having a significantly larger area than the area of the image pickup device 111 mounted on the opposite side of the circuit board 15, and is disposed so as to overlap the image pickup device 111 in the optical axis L direction. Therefore, the bottom plate 161a is provided to protrude outward from the projection area of the imaging element 111 in the Z-axis direction.

A connecting body 162 is provided between the side plate portion 161b of the heat sink 161 and the side plate portion 211 of the outer case 210 facing the side plate portion 161b so as to connect them. The connecting body 162 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and in the illustrated example, four sides thereof are arranged along the Y-axis direction or the Z-axis direction.

In the case of the second embodiment, when performing the rolling correction, the connection body 162 deforms in the direction (shearing direction) orthogonal to the plate thickness direction as it slightly compresses and extends in the plate thickness direction. Therefore, as shown in fig. 15, the connecting body 162 of the second embodiment is formed such that the thickness t is larger than the thickness of the connecting body 16 of the first embodiment and the width W in the rolling direction (or the extending direction of the side plate portion 141 of the housing 14 (the Y-axis direction in the illustrated example)) is small so that the viscoelastic function is not impaired by the compression during the rolling correction. In fig. 15, a support structure and the like of the optical element 110 are omitted.

On the other hand, the dimension H of the connecting body 162 in the Z-axis direction is formed large. When the thickness t is large, it is difficult to bend in the Z-axis direction by forming the height H large. Accordingly, the movable body 10 can be supported by the connecting body 162 together with the elastic member 31 supporting the movable body 10. Therefore, for example, the movable body 10 can be effectively prevented from sagging when the optical axis L is oriented in the gravity direction.

In the second embodiment, as shown in fig. 12 and the like, the connection body 161 is provided at a substantially central position in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, when the movable body 10 rotates around the optical axis L in the roll correction, mainly the shearing force acts, and the compression and extension in the plate thickness direction are small. Since the compression and expansion in the plate thickness direction are increased when the rolling correction is performed, it is not preferable to dispose the connecting body 161 at a position shifted in the Y-axis direction from the position shown in fig. 12.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be added within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the optical element 110 is supported so as to be movable in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction when viewed from the optical axis L direction, and so as to be movable in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction by the drive mechanism when performing the shake correction, but the following configuration may be adopted: the optical element 110 is supported so as to be swingable by a gimbal mechanism having fulcrums provided in two directions orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis L of the optical element 110, and is swung so as to tilt the optical axis L by a drive mechanism when the shake correction is performed.

The elastic member (leaf spring) 31 of the rolling support mechanism 30 is formed in a U-shape, but the use of a U-shaped spring is not limited as long as the movable body 10 can be supported to be free to roll.

In the first embodiment, the connecting body (heat-conducting member) 16 is disposed on the optical axis L, but may be provided at a position slightly offset from the optical axis L. Alternatively, a plurality of the optical fibers may be arranged in parallel in the circumferential direction around the optical axis L. In this case, too, only a shearing force acts on the connected body when performing the roll correction.

Further, even when the connecting body 16 is provided on the circuit board 15 as in the first embodiment, a heat sink having excellent thermal conductivity may be interposed therebetween.

Description of the reference numerals

An L … optical axis; 10 … movable body; 20 … fixed body; 12 … inner shell; 13 … a middle shell; 14 … a frame body; 41 … a magnet; 15 … circuit substrate; 16. 162 … connector (thermally conductive member); 17 … coil holder; 30 … rolling bearing mechanism; 31 … elastic member (plate spring); 40 … rolling correction drive mechanism; 41 … rolling magnet; 42 … rolling coil; 70 … housing support means; 71 … front side spring; 71a, 72a …; 71b, 72b … outer peripheral portion; 72 … rear side spring; 73 … a lead; 80 … X-axis direction drive mechanism; a 90 … Y-axis direction drive mechanism; 81. 91 … a magnet; 82. 92 … coil; 101 … optical element; 110 … optical element; 111 … camera element; 112 … lens holding frame; 121. 131, 141, 211 … side plate parts; 132 … hole; 133 … top plate; 142 … protrusions; 143. 145, 213 … notch portions; 144 … end plate portion; 151 … flexible wiring board; 161 … heat sink plate; 161a … bottom plate portion; 161b … side plate parts; 210 … outer shell; 215 … stop plate; 220 … frame body (plate-shaped part); 311. 312 … end portion; 313 … U-shaped portion; 314 … hole; 411 … magnetizing the polarized wire; 421 … long side part; 422 … short side parts; 711 … projection; 821. 921 … short side part; 822. 922 … long side.