JP7654455B2 - Optical Unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optical unit.

Conventionally, various optical units have been used that include a movable body with an optical module, a fixed body, and a gimbal mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body relative to the fixed body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical unit that includes a movable body with an optical module, a fixed body, and a gimbal mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body relative to the fixed body, in which the gimbal mechanism has a first support extension that connects to the movable body in a direction along a first axis, and a second support extension that connects to the fixed body in a direction along a second axis.

WO2019/221038A1

In conventional optical units capable of rotating a movable body equipped with an optical module relative to a fixed body as described above, the optical units tend to be large in size in order to suppress interference between the movable body and the fixed body caused by rotating the movable body relative to the fixed body. The optical unit of Patent Document 1 is equipped with a gimbal mechanism having a first support extension portion that connects to the movable body in a direction along the first axis and a second support extension portion that connects to the fixed body in a direction along the second axis. By adopting such a configuration that includes a gimbal mechanism, it is possible to reduce the size of the conventional optical units. However, there is a demand for further miniaturization of optical units. Therefore, the present invention aims to reduce the size of an optical unit that can rotate a movable body equipped with an optical module relative to a fixed body.

The optical unit of the present invention comprises a movable body having an optical module, a fixed body, and a gimbal mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body relative to the fixed body with two rotational axis directions that intersect with the optical axis direction of the optical module and intersect with each other as a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis, and the gimbal mechanism has a fixed body side leg that connects to the fixed body in a direction along the first rotational axis and a movable body side leg that connects to the movable body in a direction along the second rotational axis, and the gimbal mechanism is characterized in that the central side of the movable body protrudes outward more than the end side of the movable body when viewed from the direction along the first rotational axis, forming a convex shape.

In a configuration in which the gimbal mechanism has a fixed body side leg that connects to the fixed body in a direction along the first rotation axis and a movable body side leg that connects to the movable body in a direction along the second rotation axis, when the movable body rotates and tilts relative to the fixed body around the first rotation axis, the movable body side leg is likely to protrude outward, and there is a risk that the optical unit will become larger due to this protrusion. However, according to this aspect, when viewed from the direction along the first rotation axis, the gimbal mechanism is convex, with the center side of the movable body protruding outward more than the end side of the movable body. Therefore, even if the movable body rotates and tilts relative to the fixed body around the first rotation axis, the movable body side leg can be prevented from protruding outward. Therefore, the optical unit can be made smaller.

In the optical unit of the present invention, the fixed body has an opening surface where an opening is provided through which a part of the optical module protrudes in the optical axis direction, and the convex portion of the gimbal mechanism can be configured to be parallel to the opening surface when the movable body rotates to the maximum extent relative to the fixed body with the first rotation axis as the rotation axis direction. When the movable body rotates relative to the fixed body with the first rotation axis as the rotation axis, the movable body tilts with the movable body side legs relative to the fixed body. By configuring in this way, it is possible to increase the amount of rotational movement of the movable body rotating relative to the fixed body with the first rotation axis as the rotation axis while suppressing the movable body side legs from protruding outward when the movable body tilts with the movable body side legs relative to the fixed body by rotating relative to the fixed body with the first rotation axis as the rotation axis.

In addition, in the optical unit of the present invention, the longer of the movable body side leg and the fixed body side leg can be configured to be wider than the shorter of the movable body side leg and the fixed body side leg. A gimbal mechanism having legs needs to be configured to be capable of applying a predetermined preload because the legs support the movable body and the fixed body and form a rotation axis. Generally, the longer the legs are, the more difficult it is to apply a predetermined preload, but the thicker the legs are, the easier it is to apply a predetermined preload. Therefore, by using such a configuration, it is possible to configure both the movable body side leg and the fixed body side leg to be capable of applying a predetermined preload.

In the optical unit of the present invention, the gimbal mechanism has a concave region in which the center of the movable body is recessed inward from the end of the movable body when viewed from the direction along the second rotation axis, and the concave region can be configured to reach the outside of the end of the movable body in the first rotation axis direction when viewed from the direction along the second rotation axis. When the movable body rotates relative to the fixed body about the second rotation axis, the fixed body side legs maintain their position while the movable body tilts relative to the fixed body. With this configuration, even if the movable body rotates relative to the fixed body about the second rotation axis and the fixed body side legs maintain their position while the movable body tilts relative to the fixed body, the concave region is formed to widen the space in the end direction of the movable body, so that it is possible to prevent the movable body from colliding with the gimbal mechanism or the range of motion of the movable body from narrowing.

In addition, in the optical unit of the present invention, the movable body can be configured to include a rotation support mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body relative to the fixed body, with the rotation axis in the optical axis direction of the optical module as the third rotation axis. By providing the third rotation axis in this manner, the optical module can be moved over a wide range. Also, as described above, the gimbal mechanism is convex, with the center side of the movable body protruding outward more than the end side of the movable body when viewed from the direction along the first rotation axis. Therefore, even if the movable body is tilted by rotating relative to the fixed body around the first rotation axis as the rotation axis, the legs on the movable body side can be prevented from protruding outward, and the optical unit can be made smaller.

The optical unit of the present invention, which allows a movable body equipped with an optical module to be rotated relative to a fixed body, can be made compact.

1 is a perspective view of a smartphone equipped with an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from an angle different from that of FIG. 4. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a movable body is not tilted relative to a fixed body, as viewed from a first axial direction, in an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a movable body is not tilted with respect to a fixed body, as viewed from a second axial direction, in an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a movable body is tilted to the maximum relative to a fixed body with the first axis as a rotation axis, as viewed from a first axis direction, in an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a movable body is tilted to the maximum relative to a fixed body with a first axis as a rotation axis, as viewed from a second axis direction, in an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a movable body is tilted to the maximum relative to a fixed body with a second axis as a rotation axis, as viewed from a first axis direction, in an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a movable body is tilted to the maximum relative to a fixed body with the second axis as a rotation axis, as viewed from the second axis direction, in an optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other, and the views seen in the +X and -X directions are side views, the views seen in the +Y direction are plan views, the views seen in the -Y direction are bottom views, the views seen in the +Z direction are rear views, and the views seen in the -Z direction are front views. The +Y direction corresponds to the incident direction D1 of the light beam from outside.

<Outline of device equipped with optical unit>
First, an optical unit 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a smartphone 100 as an example of an apparatus (optical device) including the optical unit 1 according to the present embodiment. The optical unit 1 according to the present embodiment can be preferably used in the smartphone 100. This is because the optical unit 1 according to the present embodiment can be configured to be thin, and the thickness of the smartphone 100 in the Y-axis direction can be configured to be thin. However, the optical unit 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the smartphone 100, and can be used in various devices such as cameras and videos without any particular limitation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the smartphone 100 has a cover glass 101 through which a light beam is incident. The smartphone 100 has an optical unit 1 inside the cover glass 101. The smartphone 100 is configured such that a light beam is incident from the outside through the cover glass 101 in an incident direction D1, and a subject image can be captured based on the incident light beam.

<Overall configuration of optical unit>
2 to 5, the configuration of the optical unit 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in brief. The optical unit 1 includes a movable body 14 including an optical module 12 such as a lens 12a, and a fixed body 16 that holds the movable body 14 in a displaceable state in a direction (pitching direction) around the X-axis direction as the rotation axis (swing axis), a direction (yawing direction) around the Z-axis direction as the rotation axis (swing axis), and a direction (rolling direction) around the Y-axis direction as the rotation axis (swing axis). The optical unit 1 also includes a drive mechanism 18 (drive mechanism 18A, drive mechanism 18B, and drive mechanism 18C) that drives the movable body 14 in the pitching direction, yawing direction, and rolling direction. The optical unit 1 also includes a gimbal mechanism 20 that supports the movable body 14 rotatably (swingably) in the yawing direction and pitching direction relative to the fixed body 16. The movable body 14 is provided with a rotation support mechanism 80 that supports the movable body 14 rotatably (swingably) in the rolling direction relative to the fixed body 16.

<About moving parts>
In addition, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes a movable body 14 including an optical module 12, a holder 13, a rotation support mechanism 80, a first support portion 60, and a second support portion 70. The optical module 12 includes a flexible printed circuit board 51 connected to an imaging element (not shown). The holder 13 holds the optical module 12 and includes a magnet 24A constituting the driving mechanism 18A, a magnet 24B constituting the driving mechanism 18B, and a magnet 24C constituting the driving mechanism 18C. The first support portion 60 includes two legs 61 provided at both ends of the first axis L1 (see Fig. 2) and two legs 62 provided at both ends of the second axis L2 (see Fig. 2). The second support portion 70 includes a yoke forming portion 71 forming a yoke corresponding to the magnets 24A, 24B, and 24C, and a protruding portion 72 protruding outward. In addition, the yoke forming portion 71 and the protrusion portion 72 act as a rotation regulating portion that regulates the amount of rotation of the first support portion 60 and the second support portion 70 by the rotation support mechanism 80 by coming into contact with the leg portions 61 and 62 .

The holder 13 is configured as a rectangular frame-shaped member that surrounds the four remaining sides of the optical module 12, excluding the front side (the side facing the subject) on which the lens 12a is provided, and the rear side on the opposite side. The holder 13 in this embodiment is configured to allow the optical module 12 to be attached and detached, as an example. However, the optical module 12 and the holder 13 may be configured as one unit. Magnets 24A, 24B, and 24C for correcting pitching, yawing, and rolling are attached to the outer surfaces of the three sides of the holder 13 that face the fixed body 16.

The first support 60 has a fixed portion 92 fixed to the leg 62, and the leg 62 is fixed to the movable body side leg 22 of the gimbal mechanism 20 by the fixed portion 92. Specifically, the fixed portion 92 has a convex portion 92a that protrudes inward, and the movable body side leg 22 has a concave portion 22a into which the convex portion 92a fits. The movable body side leg 22 is configured to apply a force such that it presses the concave portion 22a against the convex portion 92a, so that the movable body side leg 22 is fixed to the leg 62 so as to be rotatable around the second axis L2 as a rotation axis (second rotation axis). In other words, the first support 60 is supported relative to the gimbal mechanism 20 by the convex portion 92a fitting into the concave portion 22a, and the first support 60 is rotatable relative to the gimbal mechanism 20 around the second axis L2 as a rotation axis.

The first support section 60 fixes the lower case 82 of the rotation support mechanism 80 at the opening 63. Meanwhile, the second support section 70 fixes the upper case 81 of the rotation support mechanism 80 at the opening 73, and is fixed at a position where the yoke forming section 71 contacts the magnets 24A, 24B, and 24C of the holder 13. Here, the rotation support mechanism 80 has an upper case 81, a lower case 82, and an intermediate section 83 provided between the upper case 81 and the lower case 82, all of which are annular components. A plurality of bearings (not shown) are arranged inside the intermediate section 83, and the upper case 81 and the lower case 82 are configured to be rotatable about the Y-axis direction as the rotation axis. In addition, magnets 25 are provided on legs 61 and 62 of the first support 60, and a magnetic body (not shown) provided inside the middle part 83 is attracted to the magnets 25, thereby determining the relative reference position of the upper case 81 and the lower case 82.

As described above, the upper case 81 is fixed to the second support 70, and the lower case 82 is fixed to the first support 60. The second support 70 is fixed to the holder 13 constituting the movable body 14, and the first support 60 is fixed to the gimbal mechanism 20. The gimbal mechanism 20 includes a fixed body side leg 21, which is fixed to the fixed body 16 via a fixing part 91. In other words, the movable body 14 is configured to be rotatable with the Y-axis direction as the rotation axis relative to the fixed body 16 by the rotation support mechanism 80 fixed to each of the first support 60 and the second support 70.

<Fixed body>
Fixed body 16 has coil 32A facing magnet 24A, coil 32B facing magnet 24B, and coil 32C facing magnet 24C. In Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, each coil is shown at a position away from fixed body 16 so that the positional relationship between each magnet and each coil can be easily seen, but in reality, each coil is connected to a flexible printed circuit board 51 and fixed to fixed body 16.

<About the drive mechanism>
As described above, in this embodiment, when the movable body 14 is disposed in the fixed body 16, the magnet 24A and the coil 32A, the magnet 24B and the coil 32B, and the magnet 24C and the coil 32C face each other. In this embodiment, the pair of the magnet 24A and the coil 32A, the pair of the magnet 24B and the coil 32B, and the pair of the magnet 24C and the coil 32C each constitute a driving mechanism 18. The driving mechanism 18 corrects the pitching, yawing, and rolling of the movable body 14. Here, the magnet 24A and the coil 32A constitute the driving mechanism 18A, the magnet 24B and the coil 32B constitute the driving mechanism 18B, and the magnet 24C and the coil 32C constitute the driving mechanism 18C.

Pitching, yawing, and rolling are corrected as follows. When the optical unit 1 shakes in at least one of the pitching, yawing, and rolling directions, the shake is detected by a Hall element (not shown), which is a magnetic sensor, and the drive mechanisms 18A, 18B, and 18C are driven based on the result. Alternatively, the shake of the optical unit 1 may be detected using a shake detection sensor (gyroscope) or the like. Based on the shake detection result, the drive mechanisms 18A, 18B, and 18C act to correct the shake. That is, current is passed through the coils 32A, 32B, and 32C to move the movable body 14 in a direction that cancels the shake of the optical unit 1, thereby correcting the shake.

In this way, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment is provided with drive mechanisms 18A, 18B, and 18C that rotate the movable body 14 relative to the fixed body 16 around the rotation axes in the pitch axis direction, the yawing axis direction, and the rolling axis direction. However, this is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the drive mechanism 18 may be configured to include only drive mechanisms 18A and 18B. Note that "rotation" in this specification does not necessarily mean rotating 360°, but also includes the case of swinging in the rotational direction.

<About the gimbal mechanism>
The gimbal mechanism 20 of this embodiment is a gimbal mechanism having spring properties formed by bending a metal flat plate material. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the gimbal mechanism 20 is configured by including a gimbal frame portion 23 provided on the subject side as an example, a fixed body side leg portion 21 formed by bending the four corner portions of the gimbal frame portion 23 by 90° in the optical axis direction, and a movable body side leg portion 22. Note that the fixed body side leg portion 21 and the movable body side leg portion 22 do not necessarily have to be entirely plate-shaped, and only a part of them may be formed into a plate shape to exhibit spring properties. Also, one of the fixed body side leg portion 21 and the movable body side leg portion 22 may be formed into a shape other than a plate shape (for example, a rod shape, etc.). In addition, the gimbal mechanism 20 in this embodiment is configured to rotatably support the movable body 14 relative to the fixed body 16 with the two directions, the pitching direction and the yawing direction, as the directions of the rotation axis, but it may also be configured to rotatably support the movable body 14 relative to the fixed body 16 with only one of the pitching direction and the yawing direction as the direction of the rotation axis.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the gimbal mechanism 20 of this embodiment has a recess 21a, which is a concave surface recessed inward, on the fixed body side leg 21, and a recess 22a, which is a concave surface recessed inward, on the movable body side leg 22. The fixed body side leg 21 is configured so that a force is applied so that the recess 21a spreads outward, and the movable body side leg 22 is configured so that a force is applied so that the recess 22a spreads outward.

In addition, a fixed part 91 is provided at a position facing the recess 21a of the fixed body 16, and is provided with a spherical convex part 91a that protrudes inward and fits into the recess 21a (see Figs. 4 and 5). In addition, a fixed part 92 is provided at a position facing the recess 22a of the leg part 62 of the first support part 60, and is provided with a spherical convex part 92a that protrudes inward and fits into the recess 22a (see Figs. 4 and 5). In the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, the convex part 91a is disposed in the recess 21a and the recess 21a is pressed against the convex part 91a, thereby rotatably supporting the gimbal mechanism 20 with respect to the fixed body 16 around the first axis L1 (see Fig. 2) as the rotation axis (first rotation axis). In addition, in the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, the convex portion 92a is disposed within the concave portion 22a and the concave portion 22a is pressed against the convex portion 92a, thereby rotatably supporting the first support portion 60 with respect to the gimbal mechanism 20 around the second axis L2 (see FIG. 2) as the rotation axis (second rotation axis).

As described above, the first support 60 is supported by the optical module 12 via the rotation support mechanism 80, the second support 70, and the holder 13. That is, the gimbal mechanism 20 of this embodiment rotatably supports the gimbal mechanism 20 with respect to the fixed body 16 around the first axis L1 as a rotation axis, and rotatably supports the rotation support mechanism 80, the second support 70, the holder 13, and the optical module 12 constituting the movable body 14 with respect to the gimbal mechanism 20 around the second axis L2 as a rotation axis. The optical unit 1 of this embodiment is configured to have such a gimbal mechanism 20, and is configured to rotatably support the movable body 14 with respect to the fixed body 16 in all directions intersecting with the optical axis direction (Y-axis direction) as rotation axes. The optical unit 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to rotate the movable body 14 with respect to the fixed body 16 around the pitching direction and yawing direction as rotation axes by driving the drive mechanism 18.

The shape of the gimbal mechanism 20 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 6 to 11. As described above, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment includes the movable body 14 having the optical module 12, the fixed body 16, and the gimbal mechanism 20 that rotatably supports the movable body 14 relative to the fixed body 16 with two rotational axis directions that intersect with the optical axis direction of the optical module 12 and intersect with each other as the first rotational axis (first axis L1) and the second rotational axis (second axis L2). The gimbal mechanism 20 has a fixed body side leg 21 that connects with the fixed body 16 in the direction along the first rotational axis (first axis L1), and a movable body side leg 22 that connects with the movable body 14 in the direction along the second rotational axis (second axis L2).

6 and 8, and 7 and 9, when the movable body 14 tilts relative to the fixed body 16 around the first axis L1 as the axis of rotation, the fixed body side leg 21 does not tilt relative to the fixed body 16, but the movable body side leg 22 tilts relative to the fixed body 16 together with the movable body 14. On the other hand, when the movable body 14 tilts relative to the fixed body 16 around the second axis L2 as the axis of rotation, the fixed body side leg 21 does not tilt relative to the fixed body 16, and the movable body side leg 22 does not tilt relative to the fixed body 16 either. In other words, when the movable body 14 tilts relative to the fixed body 16 around the first axis L1 as the axis of rotation, the change in thickness of the optical unit 1 in the Y-axis direction (the change in the protruding manner of the gimbal frame portion 23 and the movable body side leg 22 relative to the fixed body 16) is reduced, so that the optical unit 1 can be made smaller.

Here, in the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, the movable body side leg 22 is convex in the -Y direction when viewed from the direction along the first rotation axis as in Figures 6, 8, and 10. In other words, in the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, when viewed from the direction along the first rotation axis as in Figures 6, 8, and 10, the movable body side leg 22 is convex, with the central side of the movable body 14 (the central part of the gimbal frame part 23) protruding outward (to the -Y direction) more than the end side of the movable body 14 (the part where the movable body side leg 22 of the gimbal mechanism 20 is formed).

In the case where the gimbal mechanism 20 has a fixed body side leg 21 that connects to the fixed body 16 in the direction along the first axis L1 and a movable body side leg 22 that connects to the movable body 14 in the direction along the second axis L2, when the movable body 14 rotates and tilts with respect to the fixed body 16 around the first axis L1 as shown in Figure 8, the movable body side leg 22 is likely to protrude outward (in the -Y direction), and this protrusion may cause the optical unit 1 to become larger. However, in the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, the gimbal mechanism 20 is convex in that the central side of the movable body 14 protrudes outward (in the -Y direction) more than the end side of the movable body 14 from the gimbal frame part 23 to the movable body side leg 22 when viewed from the direction along the first axis L1 as shown in Figures 6, 8, and 10. Therefore, even if the movable body 14 rotates relative to the fixed body 16 around the first axis L1 as the rotation axis and tilts as shown in FIG. 8, the movable body side leg 22 is prevented from protruding outward. Therefore, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment can be made compact.

In the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the fixed body 16 has an opening surface 16a in which an opening 15 is provided through which a part of the optical module 12 protrudes in the optical axis direction. As shown in Figure 8, the convex convex portion R1 of the gimbal mechanism 20 becomes parallel to the opening surface 16a when the movable body 14 rotates to the maximum extent relative to the fixed body 16 with the first axis L1 as the rotation axis direction. As described above, when the movable body 14 rotates relative to the fixed body 16 with the first axis L1 as the rotation axis, the movable body 14 together with the movable body side leg 22 tilts relative to the fixed body 16. However, with this configuration, when the movable body 14 rotates with respect to the fixed body 16 around the first axis L1 as the rotation axis, and the movable body 14 tilts with the movable body leg 22 relative to the fixed body 16, the movable body leg 22 is prevented from protruding outward, while the amount of rotational movement of the movable body 14 rotating with respect to the fixed body 16 around the first axis L1 as the rotation axis can be increased. Note that with this configuration, it is possible to prevent the protrusion of the convex portion R1 in the -Y direction from becoming too large, and it is also possible to minimize the protrusion of the movable body 14 with respect to the fixed body 16 when the movable body 14 is not tilted with respect to the fixed body 16. Note that "parallel" here includes the meaning as long as it is roughly parallel, even if it is different from parallel in the strict sense.

In addition, in the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the fixed body side leg 21 has a thicker portion than the movable body side leg 22. Also, as shown in Figure 2, when viewed from the optical axis direction, the fixed body side leg 21 is longer than the movable body side leg 22. That is, in the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, the longer of the movable body side leg 22 and the fixed body side leg 21 has a wider portion than the shorter of the movable body side leg 22 and the fixed body side leg 21. The gimbal mechanism 20 having legs such as the movable body side leg 22 and the fixed body side leg 21 must be configured so that the legs support the movable body 14 and the fixed body 16 and can apply a predetermined preload to form a rotation axis. In general, the longer the legs are, the more difficult it is to apply a predetermined preload, but the thicker the legs are, the easier it is to apply a predetermined preload. Therefore, with this configuration, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment is able to apply a predetermined preload to both the movable body side leg 22 and the fixed body side leg 21.

In the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, the gimbal mechanism 20 has a concave region R2 in which the central side of the movable body 14 (the central part of the gimbal frame part 23) is recessed inward (in the +Y direction) from the end side of the movable body 14 (the part where the fixed body side leg part 21 of the gimbal mechanism 20 is formed) as viewed from the direction along the second axis L2 as shown in Fig. 11. The concave region R2 is configured to extend outward beyond the end part 14a of the movable body 14 in the direction of the first axis L1 as viewed from the direction along the second axis L2. In this case, "reaching further outward than the end 14a of the movable body 14 in the direction of the first axis L1" means that when the movable body 14 is tilted to the maximum extent relative to the fixed body 16 with the second axis L2 as the axis of rotation, the recessed region R2 is positioned further outward than the end 14a, which is the end of the surface of the part of the movable body 14 that is closest to the gimbal frame portion 23, in the first axis L1.

When the movable body 14 rotates relative to the fixed body 16 around the second axis L2 as the rotation axis, the movable body 14 tilts relative to the fixed body 16 while the fixed body side legs 21 maintain their posture, as shown in Figure 11. Therefore, with this configuration, even if the movable body 14 rotates relative to the fixed body 16 around the second axis L2 as the rotation axis and the movable body 14 tilts relative to the fixed body 16 while the fixed body side legs 21 maintain their posture, the formation of the concave region R2 widens the space in the direction of the end 14a of the movable body 14 in the -Y direction, so it is possible to prevent the movable body 14 from colliding with the gimbal mechanism 20 or the range of motion of the movable body 14 from becoming narrow.

As described above, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment is provided with a rotation support mechanism 80 on the movable body 14. That is, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment is provided with a rotation support mechanism 80 on the movable body 14, which rotatably supports the movable body 14 relative to the fixed body 16, with the rotation axis in the optical axis direction (Y-axis direction) of the optical module 12 serving as the third rotation axis. By providing the third rotation axis in this manner, the optical unit 1 of this embodiment can move the optical module 12 over a wide range.

In addition, by providing the movable body 14 with the rotation support mechanism 80, the thickness of the movable body 14 in the optical axis direction increases, so that the optical unit 1 generally tends to become larger. However, as described above, in the optical unit 1 of this embodiment, the gimbal mechanism 20 is convex, with the central side of the movable body 14 protruding outward more than the end side of the movable body 14 when viewed from the direction along the first axis L1. Therefore, even if the movable body 14 is tilted by rotating relative to the fixed body 16 around the first axis L1 as the rotation axis, the movable body side leg 22 can be prevented from protruding outward, and the optical unit 1 can be made smaller.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention column can be replaced or combined as appropriate to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

1...optical unit, 12...optical module, 12a...lens, 13...holder, 14...movable body, 14a...end, 15...opening, 16...fixed body, 16a...opening surface, 18...driving mechanism, 18A...driving mechanism, 18B...driving mechanism, 18C...driving mechanism, 20...gimbal mechanism, 21...fixed body side leg, 21a...recess, 22...movable body side leg, 22a...recess, 23...gimbal frame part, 24A...magnet, 24B...magnet, 24C...magnet, 25...magnet, 32A...coil, 32B...coil, 32C...coil, 41...fixed body side support part, 41a...convex curved surface, 42...possible Moving body side support part, 42a...convex curved surface, 51...flexible printed circuit board, 60...first support part, 61...leg part, 62...leg part, 63...opening, 70...second support part, 71...yoke forming part, 72...protrusion part, 73...opening, 80...rotation support mechanism, 81...upper case, 82...lower case, 83...middle part, 91...fixed part, 91a...convex part, 92...fixed part, 92a...convex part, 100...smartphone, 101...cover glass, D1...incident direction (optical axis direction), L1...first axis (first rotation axis), L2...second axis (second rotation axis), R1...convex part, R2...concave area

Claims (4)

a movable body including an optical module;
A fixed body;
a gimbal mechanism that rotatably supports the movable body relative to the fixed body around two rotation axis directions that intersect with an optical axis direction of the optical module and that intersect with each other, the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis being respectively a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis;
the gimbal mechanism includes a fixed-body leg connected to the fixed body in a direction along the first rotation axis and a movable-body leg connected to the movable body in a direction along the second rotation axis,
When viewed from a direction along the first rotation axis, the gimbal mechanism has a convex shape in which a central portion of the movable body protrudes outward more than an end portion of the movable body , and
the fixed body has an opening surface on which an opening is provided through which a part of the optical module protrudes in the optical axis direction,
An optical unit characterized in that the convex portion of the gimbal mechanism becomes parallel to the opening surface when the movable body is rotated to its maximum extent relative to the fixed body with the first rotation axis as the rotation axis direction . 2. The optical unit according to claim 1 ,
An optical unit, characterized in that the longer of the movable body side leg and the fixed body side leg is wider than the shorter of the movable body side leg and the fixed body side leg. 3. The optical unit according to claim 1 ,
the gimbal mechanism has a concave region that is concave inwardly at a central portion of the movable body relative to an end portion of the movable body when viewed from a direction along the second rotation axis,
An optical unit, characterized in that the concave area extends beyond an end of the movable body in the first rotation axis direction when viewed from a direction along the second rotation axis. 4. The optical unit according to claim 1,
An optical unit comprising: a movable body and a rotation support mechanism for supporting the movable body rotatably relative to the fixed body, the rotation axis being a third rotation axis in the direction of the optical axis of the optical module.

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