JP7703441B2 - Camera unit and portable information terminal - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a camera unit and a portable information terminal.

Today, various optical devices have been developed and put to practical use. One of these optical devices is a camera unit equipped with a tiltable and oscillating camera module (see Patent Document 1). For example, Patent Document 1 describes an optical unit including a camera module and an anti-vibration module.

In the optical unit described in Patent Document 1, a wiring board (flexible printed circuit board) is pulled out from one side of the camera module.

JP 2015-143722 A

However, because the wiring board was pulled out from only one side of the camera module, the optical unit was large.

In addition, when the camera module is swung widely, if the wiring board is bent multiple times, the wiring boards may come into contact with each other or with fixed members such as the wiring housing. This may hinder the swinging of the camera module.

The camera unit of one embodiment includes a camera module including a sensor substrate, an image sensor mounted on the sensor substrate, and an optical element that focuses light on the image sensor; a movable member in which the camera module is housed; a housing member that houses the movable member; a support mechanism that supports the movable member on the housing member so that the movable member can rotate relative to the housing member around an axis that intersects with the optical axis of the optical element; a drive mechanism that rotates the movable member relative to the housing member; and a wiring substrate that is connected to the sensor substrate and transmits a signal output from the image sensor. The wiring substrate has at least two or more wiring portions. A first wiring portion of the wiring portions is connected to the sensor substrate on a first surface of the sensor substrate, and a second wiring portion is connected to the sensor substrate on a second surface that is perpendicular to the first surface. At least one of the first wiring portion and the second wiring portion has a plurality of wiring layers that are different in position in a direction along the optical axis of the optical element.

The portable information terminal of one embodiment is equipped with the above-mentioned camera unit.

It is possible to provide a camera unit that reduces the space required to house the wiring board without impeding the swinging of the camera module.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a camera unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the camera unit. FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the camera unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the holder, the case and the stopper plate. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the case. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the case and the wiring board. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the sensor board, the wiring board, and the support member. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the sensor board, the wiring board, and the support member. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the sensor board, the wiring board, and the support member. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a portable information terminal equipped with a camera unit. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the sensor substrate, the wiring substrate, and the support member of the first modified example. FIG. 12 is a side view showing the sensor substrate, the wiring substrate, and the support member of the second modified example. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a sensor board, a wiring board, and a holder frame of the third modified example. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a sensor board, a wiring board, and a holder frame of the third modified example. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a holder frame of the third modified example.

Below, an example of a camera unit to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for identical or substantially identical configurations and elements. Furthermore, as a general rule, configurations and elements that have already been described will not be described again.

<Overview of the image stabilization device>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the camera unit 1A, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the camera unit 1A.

The camera unit 1A shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is composed of a camera module 10, a wiring board 20, a module holding mechanism 30, etc. The camera unit 1A is suitable for mounting on a portable information terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, or a notebook PC, or on a camera, but there are no limitations on the uses of the camera unit 1A.

The dashed line marked with the symbol L in FIG. 1 indicates the optical axis of the optical element provided in the camera module 10. The dashed line marked with the symbol L1 in FIG. 2 indicates a first axis that intersects with the optical axis L shown in FIG. 1, and the dashed line marked with the symbol L2 indicates a second axis that intersects with the optical axis L.

1 and 2 is parallel to the optical axis L, the x axis is parallel to the yawing rotation axis, and the y axis is parallel to the pitching rotation axis. In the following description, the yawing rotation axis may be referred to as the "yawing axis" and the pitching rotation axis may be referred to as the "pitching axis."
<Camera module>
3 is an exploded view showing the camera unit 1A. The camera module 10 is composed of a lens 11, an imaging element (imaging sensor, image sensor) 12, a sensor board 13, etc. The lens 11 is one of the optical elements included in the camera module 10, and focuses light on the light receiving surface of the imaging element 12. In other words, the lens 11 is an imaging optical system that forms an image of a subject on the light receiving surface of the imaging element 12, or is at least one of the optical elements that make up the imaging optical system.

The image sensor 12 converts the brightness of the subject image formed on the light receiving surface by the lens 11 into an electric charge and outputs a voltage (signal) according to the converted electric charge. The image sensor 12 is mounted on one of the main surfaces (mounting surface) of the sensor board 13.

The lens 11 is housed in a rectangular box-shaped housing 14. However, a part (upper part) of the lens 11 protrudes from the top surface of the housing 14. The housing 14 also contains an actuator that moves the lens 11 forward and backward to achieve an AF (autofocus) function.

The sensor board 13 is disposed below the housing 14 with its mounting surface facing upward. As a result, the image sensor 12 mounted on the mounting surface faces the emission surface of the lens 11. Furthermore, the optical axis L (Figure 1) of the lens 11 passes through the center of the image sensor 12.

<Module retention mechanism>
The module holding mechanism 30 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a function of correcting the yawing and pitching of the camera module 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the module holding mechanism 30 has a movable member 40 in which the camera module 10 is housed, a housing member 50 in which the movable member 40 is housed, a support mechanism 60 that supports the movable member 40, and a drive mechanism 70 that drives the movable member 40.

<Movable Member and Housing Member>
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the movable member 40, the accommodating member 50, and the stopper plate 66. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the accommodating member 50 from below. The movable member 40 is a resin molded product having an overall rectangular frame-like appearance. The accommodating member 50 is also a resin molded product, and has a first accommodating space 51 that corresponds to the external shape of the movable member 40. In the following description, the movable member 40 may be referred to as the "holder frame 40," and the accommodating member 50 may be referred to as the "case 50."

As shown in FIG. 4, the holder frame 40 is accommodated inside the first accommodation space 51 of the case 50 in the orientation shown in FIG. 4, and at least a portion of the bottom surface 41 of the holder frame 40 and at least a portion of the bottom inner surface 52 of the case 50 face each other. However, normally, the bottom surface 41 of the holder frame 40 and the bottom inner surface 52 of the case 50 do not come into contact. In other words, the holder frame 40 is accommodated in the case 50 in a floating state.

As shown in FIG. 5, the case 50 has a first storage space 51 that stores the holder frame 40, as well as a second storage space 510 and a third storage space 520 that store the wiring board (flexible printed circuit board) 20 described below. The second storage space 510 is formed on the negative y-axis side of the first storage space 51. The third storage space 520 is formed on the positive x-axis side of the first storage space 51. For this reason, the side surface 501 on the positive x-axis side of the case 50 has a longer length along the y-axis than the side surface on the positive x-axis side of the holder frame 40. Similarly, the side surface 506 on the negative y-axis side of the case 50 has a longer length along the x-axis than the side surface on the negative y-axis side of the holder frame 40.

A first opening 502 is formed on the negative y-axis side of the side surface 501 of the case 50. Part of the wiring board 20 housed in the second housing space 510 and the third housing space 520 is pulled out to the outside of the case 50 through this first opening 502. As shown in FIG. 4, a second opening 504 and a third opening 505 are formed on the upper surface 503 (the surface on the positive z-axis side) formed above the second housing space 510 and the third housing space 520 (the positive z-axis side).

<Support mechanism>
The support mechanism 60 shown in Fig. 3 supports the holder frame 40 so that the holder frame 40 is rotatable relative to the case 50 about one or more axes intersecting the optical axis L (Fig. 1) as rotation axes. More specifically, the support mechanism 60 supports the holder frame 40 so that the holder frame 40 is rotatable relative to the case 50 about at least the axis L1 and the axis L2 shown in Fig. 2 as rotation axes.

As shown in FIG. 3, the support mechanism 60 is composed of a gimbal 61, a support member 62, etc. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the gimbal 61 has a gimbal body 63 in which a circular opening 63a that surrounds the lens 11 is formed, and four arms provided at the four corners of the gimbal body 63. A pair of arms 64a, 64b are provided at one pair of diagonal corners of the gimbal body 63, and another pair of arms 65a, 65b are provided at the other pair of diagonal corners of the gimbal body 63.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gimbal 61 is mounted so that the arms 64a, 64b are arranged along the axis L1, and the arms 65a, 65b are arranged along the axis L2. Each of the arms 64a, 64b, 65a, 65b of the gimbal 61 is bent at approximately 90 degrees relative to the gimbal body 63. A hemispherical recess is formed at the end of each of the arms 64a, 64b, 65a, 65b.

The two arms 64a, 64b of the gimbal 61 are connected to the case 50 via the two support members 62 shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, the two arms 65a, 65b of the gimbal 61 are connected to the holder frame 40 via the other two support members 62 shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, insertion grooves 53 are provided at two opposing corners of the case 50 (first storage space 51), and support members 62 (FIG. 3) are disposed in each of the insertion grooves 53. Similarly, insertion grooves 42 are provided at two opposing corners of the holder frame 40, and support members 62 (FIG. 3) are disposed in each of the insertion grooves 42. That is, a pair of support members 62 is provided on one diagonal of the holder frame 40 accommodated in the first storage space 51, and another pair of support members 62 is provided on the other diagonal.

The arms 64a and 64b of the gimbal 61 shown in Figures 1 and 2 are inserted in front of (inside of) the support member 62 placed in the insertion groove 53 of the holder frame 40. On the other hand, the arms 65a and 65b of the gimbal 61 shown in Figures 1 and 2 are inserted in front of (inside of) the support member 62 placed in the insertion groove 42 of the holder frame 40.

A metal ball is welded to each support member 62. The ball welded to the support member 62 placed in the insertion groove 53 shown in FIG. 4 is fitted into a hemispherical recess formed in the arms 64a, 64b of the gimbal 61 inserted into the insertion groove 53. The ball welded to the support member 62 placed in the insertion groove 42 shown in FIG. 4 is fitted into a hemispherical recess provided in the arms 65a, 65b of the gimbal 61 inserted into the insertion groove 42.

As described above, the gimbal 61 is supported by the case 50. At the same time, the gimbal 61 holds the holder frame 40 that houses the camera module 10. From another perspective, the holder frame 40 that houses the camera module 10 is suspended from the gimbal 61 that is supported by the case 50. As a result, the holder frame 40 and the camera module 10 housed therein are rotatable (tiltable) in multiple directions including the yawing direction and pitching direction. In other words, the camera module 10 oscillates with the plane (virtual plane) on which the balls fitted in the four support members 62 exist as the reference plane.

<Stopper plate>
1 and 2, a stopper plate 66 that covers the holder frame 40 is attached to the case 50. As shown in Fig. 4, the stopper plate 66 is a metal plate having an opening 67 formed therein to expose at least the lens 11 and the gimbal body 63. In addition, notches 68 are provided at the four corners of the opening 67 of the stopper plate 66 to avoid interference with the arms 64a, 64b, 65a, and 65b of the gimbal 61.

The stopper plate 66 attached to the case 50 faces all or part of the upper surface 44 of the holder frame 40. As a result, the stopper plate 66 restricts excessive rotation of the holder frame 40. Specifically, when the rotation angle of the holder frame 40 reaches a predetermined angle, the upper surface 44 of the holder frame 40 abuts against the stopper plate 66, restricting further rotation. The stopper plate 66 also prevents the holder frame 40 from jumping out of the case 50 due to impact when dropped, etc. Furthermore, the stopper plate 66 also functions as a dust cover that prevents foreign objects, dust, etc. from entering the inside of the holder frame 40 or the case 50. In other embodiments, the holder frame 40 may abut against the case 50 to restrict excessive rotation of the holder frame 40.

<Drive mechanism>
3 again, the illustrated driving mechanism 70 rotates the holder frame 40 in which the camera module 10 is housed relative to the case 50 in order to correct the yawing and pitching of the camera module 10. For example, the driving mechanism 70 rotates the holder frame 40 relative to the case 50 about the yawing axis and the tipping axis as rotation axes.

The drive mechanism 70 is composed of coils and permanent magnets, and generates a force (thrust) that rotates the holder frame 40 relative to the case 50. The drive mechanism 70 of this embodiment has two winding coils (air core coils) 71 and 72. The drive mechanism 70 of this embodiment also has a permanent magnet 73 corresponding to the winding coil 71, and a permanent magnet 74 corresponding to the winding coil 72. In other embodiments, other types of coils, such as substrate coils, are used instead of the winding coils 71 and 72.

As shown in FIG. 4, magnet mounting grooves 43a and 43b are formed on the outer surfaces of two adjacent side walls of the holder frame 40. The permanent magnet 73 shown in FIG. 3 is accommodated in the magnet mounting groove 43a shown in FIG. 4. On the other hand, the permanent magnet 74 shown in FIG. 3 is accommodated in the magnet mounting groove 43b shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, coil mounting portions 54a and 54b are formed on the side walls of the case 50 that face the side walls of the holder frame 40 in which the magnet mounting grooves 43a and 43b are formed. The winding coil 71 shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the coil mounting portion 54a shown in FIG. 4, and the winding coil 72 shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the coil mounting portion 54b shown in FIG. 4.

When the holder frame 40 is housed in the case 50, the winding coil 71 faces the permanent magnet 73, and the winding coil 72 faces the permanent magnet 74. The camera unit 1A is equipped with a magnetic sensor (e.g., a Hall element) that monitors the yawing and pitching states of the camera module 10. The drive mechanism 70 rotates the holder frame 40 based on a signal (detection signal) output from the magnetic sensor. As a result, the holder frame 40 rotates (tilts) relative to the case 50.

A signal (detection signal) output from a magnetic sensor (e.g., a Hall element) is input to a driver IC (not shown). A signal (gyro signal) output from a gyro sensor mounted on a portable information terminal on which the camera unit 1A is mounted is also input to the driver IC. The driver IC controls the direction and frequency of the coil current based on the gyro signal. The driver IC also servo-controls (closed-loop controls) the current supply conditions to the winding coils 71 and 72 based on the detection signal.

However, there are also embodiments in which the gyro signal input to the driver IC is output from a dedicated gyro sensor in the camera unit 1A. There are also embodiments in which the current supply to the winding coils 71 and 72 is open-loop controlled. In such embodiments, magnetic sensors such as Hall elements are omitted.

<Wiring board>
The wiring board 20 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is connected to the camera module 10 in the case 50. More specifically, the wiring board 20 is connected to the sensor board 13 shown in FIG. 3 and transmits a signal output from the image sensor 12 to the outside. The wiring board 20 is pulled out to the outside through a first opening 502 (see FIG. 5) formed in the above-mentioned case 50 and connected to external output terminals 301, 302 arranged in parallel in the y-axis direction. Note that the signal transmitted to the outside by the wiring board 20 through the external output terminals 301, 302 (collectively referred to as the external output terminal 300) is input to an image processing circuit or the like provided in the portable information terminal on which the camera unit 1A is mounted, and processed. The wiring board 20 can also be used for supplying power to the image sensor 12 and inputting control signals.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the camera unit 1A shown in Figure 1, viewed from below (z-axis negative side). Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the support member 62, sensor board 13, and wiring board 20 of the support mechanism 60 of the camera unit 1A shown in Figure 1. Figure 8 is a side view of the camera unit 1A shown in Figure 7, viewed from the y-axis negative side, and Figure 9 is a side view of the camera unit 1A shown in Figure 7, viewed from the x-axis positive side.

The wiring board 20 has a first wiring portion 21 and a second wiring portion 22. As shown in FIG. 7, the first wiring portion 21 is connected to one surface (first surface) 131 on the negative y-axis side of the sensor board 13. The second wiring portion 22 is connected to one side of the sensor board 13 on the positive x-axis side. In other words, the second wiring portion 22 is connected to the sensor board 13 at one surface (second surface) 132 that is perpendicular to the first surface 131 of the sensor board 13 to which the first wiring portion 21 is connected.

<First wiring section>
As shown in FIG. 6, the first wiring portion 21 is accommodated in the second accommodation space 510 of the case 50. The first wiring portion 21 has a connection portion 211 and an extension portion 212. As shown in FIG. 9, the connection portion 211 is connected to the first surface 131 of the sensor substrate 13 and extends to the negative y-axis side. The negative y-axis end portion 211a of the connection portion 211 is bent to the positive z-axis side. However, the position (height) of the negative y-axis end portion 211a of the connection portion 211 along the z-axis is lower than the position (height) of the imaginary plane P, which is the reference plane when the camera module 10 swings. That is, the negative y-axis end portion of the connection portion 211 is located closer to the image sensor 12 side (the negative z-axis side) than the imaginary plane P in the direction along the optical axis of the lens 11 (the z-axis direction).

As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the extension portion 212 is connected to the end of the connection portion 211 on the negative y-axis side, and extends along the x-axis. That is, the extension portion 212 extends parallel to one side surface 506 of the multiple side surfaces of the case 50. The extension portion 212 has multiple wiring layers (first layer 213 and second layer 214) that are located at different positions along the z-axis. The first layer 213 and the second layer 214 are formed by bending the extension portion 212, which extends along the x-axis, at the bending portion 212a.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second layer 214 is connected to the end 211a on the negative y-axis side of the connection portion 211. Therefore, the second layer 214 is disposed at the same height as the negative y-axis end 211a of the connection portion 211. In other words, the second layer 214 is located closer to the imaging element (the negative z-axis side) than the imaginary plane P in the direction along the optical axis of the lens 11 (the z-axis direction).

The second layer 214 extends parallel to the side surface 506 within the second storage space 510 to the end of the case 50 on the negative x-axis side. That is, the extension 212 having the second layer 214 is perpendicular to the connection portion 211 extending to the negative y-axis side. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second layer 214 is connected to the connection portion 211 connected near the center of the first surface 131 of the sensor board 13. Therefore, the length of the second layer 214 along the x-axis is approximately half the length of the holder frame 40 along the x-axis. As described above, the side surface 506 of the case 50 is longer than the side surface on the negative y-axis side of the holder frame 40, so the length of the second layer 214 along the x-axis is 50 percent or less of the length of the side surface 506 of the case 50 along the x-axis.

The bent portion 212a is located near the end of the second storage space 510 of the case 50 on the negative x-axis side. The bent portion 212a has a length ΔD1 along the z-axis and rises from the second layer 214. As a result, the first layer 213 is located on the positive z-axis side of the second layer 214 and extends from the end of the second storage space 510 on the negative x-axis side to the positive x-axis side parallel to the side surface 506. That is, the first layer 213 and the second layer 214 are connected via the bent portion 212a on the negative x-axis side, and are located at different positions in the direction along the optical axis of the lens 11. Due to the length ΔD1 of the bent portion 212a, the first layer 213 is located at a higher position than the imaginary plane P along the z-axis (see Figures 8 and 9). That is, the first layer 213 is located closer to the subject side (the positive z-axis side) than the imaginary plane P in the direction along the optical axis of the lens 11 (the z-axis direction).

As described above, the first layer 213 and the second layer 214 are formed by bending the extension portion 212 extending along the x-axis at the bending portion 212a. Therefore, the first layer 213 and the second layer 214 are arranged with a partial overlap along the direction in which the extension portion 212 extends (x-axis). A reinforcing member 215 is provided between the first layer 213 and the second layer 214 on the positive side of the x-axis near the bending portion 212a. This reinforcing member 215 prevents the first layer 213 from hanging down toward the negative side of the z-axis and coming into contact with the second layer 214.

The first layer 213 of the extension section 212 has a curved section 217 that curves once toward the y-axis + side near the end on the x-axis + side of the second housing space 510 and then extends toward the x-axis + side again (see Figures 6 and 7). By bending the first layer 213 at the curved section 217, the first wiring section 21 is pulled out from the y-axis + side of the first opening 502 to the outside of the case 50.

The first layer 213 extends from near the end of the second storage space 510 on the negative x-axis side along the x-axis to near the first opening 502. In other words, the length that the first layer 213 extends along the x-axis is approximately equal to the length of the side surface 506 of the case 50 along the x-axis. In other words, the length of the first layer 213 along the x-axis is 50 percent or more of the length of the side surface 506 of the case 50.

The end of the first layer 213 on the x-axis + side is pulled out to the outside of the case 50 from a first opening 502 formed in a side surface 501 on the x-axis + side of the case 50. The first layer 213 pulled out from the first opening 502 is connected to the external output terminal 301 (see FIG. 2). That is, one end of the first wiring portion 21 is connected to the sensor substrate 13, and the other end is connected to the external output terminal 301.

A fixing member 216 is provided on the upper surface (z-axis + side surface) of the first layer 213. The fixing member 216 is a flat member, and the upper surface (z-axis + side surface) of the fixing member 216 is attached by adhesion or the like to the mounting portion 502a (see FIG. 5) formed on the upper surface of the first opening 502 of the housing member 50. That is, the first wiring portion 21 is fixed to the case 50 by the fixing member 216. Therefore, the first wiring portion 21 swings together with the sensor substrate 13 that swings with the rotation of the holder frame 40 from the position where the fixing member 216 is provided to the end connected to the sensor substrate 13. The first wiring portion 21 does not swing with the rotation of the holder frame 40 from the position where the fixing member 216 is provided to the end connected to the external output terminal 301. In other words, the fixing member 216 divides the first wiring section 21 into a swinging region R11 that swings in response to the rotation (tilt) of the holder frame 40 and an external connection region R12 that does not swing even when the holder frame 40 rotates.

The swinging region R11 swings in conjunction with the holder frame 40 in the direction of rotation and swinging, with the connection between the first wiring part 21 and the first surface 131 of the sensor board 13 as the force point and the fixed member 216 as the fulcrum, while bending and twisting. At this time, the swinging region R11 swings in the vertical direction (z-axis direction) when limited to the movement in the z-axis direction. Since the fixed member 216 serves as the fulcrum, the first wiring part 21 moves more in the vertical direction at the end on the x-axis negative side, which is the farthest from the fixed member 216, that is, near the bent part 212a. However, even if the vicinity of the end on the x-axis negative side of the first wiring part 21 moves to the z-axis positive side due to the vertical movement, it protrudes to the outside of the case 50 from the second opening 504 formed on the upper surface 503 of the case 50. This prevents the first wiring part 21 from coming into contact with the case 50.

<Second wiring section>
As shown in FIG. 6, the second wiring portion 22 is accommodated in the third accommodation space 520 of the case 50. The second wiring portion 22 has a connection portion 221 and an extension portion 222. The connection portion 221 is connected to the second surface 132 of the sensor substrate 13 (see FIG. 7) and extends toward the x-axis + side. The x-axis + side end of the connection portion 221 is bent toward the z-axis + side. However, the position (height) of the x-axis + side end of the connection portion 221 along the z-axis is lower than the position (height) of the imaginary plane P. That is, the x-axis + side end of the connection portion 221 is located closer to the image sensor 12 side (z-axis - side) than the imaginary plane P in the direction along the optical axis of the lens 11 (z-axis direction) in the same manner as the connection portion 211 of the first wiring portion 21.

As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the extension portion 222 is connected to the end 221a on the x-axis + side of the connection portion 221, and extends along the y-axis. That is, the extension portion 222 extends parallel to one side surface 501 of the multiple side surfaces of the case 50. The extension portion 222 has multiple wiring layers (first layer 223 and second layer 224) that are located at different positions along the z-axis. The first layer 223 and the second layer 224 are formed by bending the extension portion 222, which extends along the y-axis, at the bending portion 222a.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second layer 224 is connected to the end 221a on the x-axis + side of the connection portion 221. Therefore, the second layer 224 is disposed at the same height as the x-axis + side end 221a of the connection portion 221. In other words, the second layer 224 is located closer to the image sensor 12 (z-axis - side) than the imaginary plane P in the direction along the optical axis of the lens 11 (z-axis direction).

The second layer 224 extends parallel to the side surface 501 in the third storage space 520 to the end of the case 50 on the +y-axis side. That is, the extension portion 222 having the second layer 224 is perpendicular to the connection portion 221 extending to the +x-axis side. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, the second layer 224 is connected to the connection portion 221 connected near the center of the second surface 132 of the sensor board 13. Therefore, the length of the second layer 224 extending in the direction along the y-axis is about half the length of the holder frame 40 along the y-axis. As described above, the side surface 501 of the case 50 is longer than the length of the holder frame 40 along the y-axis, so the length of the second layer 224 along the y-axis is 50% or less of the length of the side surface 501 of the case 50 along the y-axis.

The bent portion 222a is located near the end of the third storage space 520 on the + side of the y axis. The bent portion 222a has a length ΔD2 (>ΔD1) along the z axis and rises from the second layer 224. As a result, the first layer 223 is located on the + side of the z axis from the second layer 224, and extends from the end of the third storage space 520 on the + side of the y axis to the - side of the y axis parallel to the side surface 501. In other words, the first layer 223 and the second layer 224 are connected via the bent portion 222a on the + side of the y axis, and are located at different positions in the direction along the optical axis of the lens 11. Due to the length ΔD2 of the bent portion 222a, the first layer 223 is located at a higher position along the z axis than the imaginary plane P and the first layer 213 of the first wiring part 21. That is, the first layer 223 is located closer to the subject (+z-axis side) than the imaginary plane P in the direction along the optical axis of the lens 11 (z-axis direction).

As described above, the first layer 223 and the second layer 224 are formed by bending the extension portion 222 extending along the y-axis at the bending portion 222a. Therefore, the first layer 223 and the second layer 224 are arranged with a partial overlap along the direction in which the extension portion 222 extends (the y-axis). A reinforcing member 225 is provided between the first layer 223 and the second layer 224 on the negative side of the y-axis near the bending portion 222a. This reinforcing member 225 prevents the first layer 223 from hanging down toward the negative side of the z-axis and coming into contact with the second layer 224.

The first layer 223 of the extension portion 222 has a curved portion 227 that curves toward the +x-axis side near the end on the -y-axis side of the third housing space 520 (see FIG. 7). Since the first layer 223 of the second wiring portion 22 has the curved portion 227, the second wiring portion 22 is drawn out from the -y-axis side of the first opening 502 to the outside of the case 50. As described above, the first layer 223 is disposed at a higher position along the optical axis than the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21. Therefore, the curved portion 227 overlaps with the curved portion 217 of the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 in the z-axis direction. That is, the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 and the first layer 223 of the second wiring portion 22 partially overlap in the direction along the optical axis.

The first layer 223 extends from near the end of the third storage space 520 on the +y-axis side along the y-axis to near the end of the first opening 502 along the y-axis. In other words, the length of the first layer 223 extending along the y-axis is approximately equal to the length of the side surface 501 of the case 50 along the y-axis. In other words, the length of the first layer 223 along the y-axis is 50 percent or more of the length of the side surface 501 of the case 50.

An end of the first layer 223 is pulled out to the outside of the case 50 through a first opening 502 formed in the case 50. The first layer 223 of the second wiring portion 22 passes over the top of the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 at the curved portion 227, and is pulled out to the outside from the first opening 502 at a position on the -y-axis side of the first wiring portion 21. The first layer 223 pulled out from the first opening 502 is connected to the external output terminal 302. That is, one end of the second wiring portion 22 is connected to the sensor substrate 13, and the other end is connected to the external output terminal 302.

A fixing member 226 is provided on the upper surface (z-axis + side surface) of the first layer 223. The fixing member 226 is a flat plate-shaped member, and the upper surface (z-axis + side surface) of the fixing member 226 is attached by adhesion or the like to the mounting portion 502b (see FIG. 5) formed at the upper end of the first opening 502 of the case 50. That is, the second wiring part 22 is fixed to the case 50 by the fixing member 226. As described above, since the length ΔD2 of the bent part 222a is longer than the length ΔD1 of the bent part 212a of the first wiring part 21, the first layer 223 of the second wiring part 22 is higher in position (height) along the z axis than the first layer 213 of the first wiring part 21. For this reason, the fixing member 226 provided on the first layer 223 is disposed on the z-axis + side than the fixing member 216 provided on the first layer 213 of the first wiring part 21. That is, the fixing member 216 of the first wiring part 21 and the fixing member 226 of the second wiring part 22 are disposed at different positions along the optical axis.

Since the fixing member 226 of the first layer 223 is fixed to the case 50, the second wiring portion 22 between the position where the fixing member 226 is provided and the end connected to the sensor board 13 swings together with the sensor board 13, which swings in response to the rotation (tilt) of the holder frame 40. The second wiring portion 22 between the position where the fixing member 226 is provided and the end connected to the external output terminal 302 does not swing in response to the rotation of the holder frame 40. In other words, the fixing member 226 divides the second wiring portion 22 into a swinging region R21 that swings in response to the rotation of the holder frame 40 and an external connection region R22 that does not swing even in response to the rotation of the holder frame 40.

The swinging region R21 swings in the vertical direction (z-axis direction) with the fixed member 226 as a fulcrum in association with the rotation of the holder frame 40. Because the fixed member 226 serves as a fulcrum, the second wiring part 22 moves more in the vertical direction at the end on the y-axis + side that is the furthest from the fixed member 226, i.e., near the bent part 222a. However, even if the vicinity of the end on the y-axis + side of the second wiring part 22 moves toward the z-axis + side due to the vertical movement, it protrudes to the outside of the case 50 from the third opening 505 formed on the upper surface 503 of the case 50. This prevents the second wiring part 22 from coming into contact with the case 50.

In the above description, the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 and the first layer 223 of the second wiring portion 22 are arranged on the subject side along the z axis from the imaginary plane P. However, only the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 may be arranged on the subject side along the z axis from the imaginary plane P, or only the first layer 223 of the second wiring portion 22 may be arranged on the subject side along the z axis from the imaginary plane P. In other words, at least one of the first layers 213, 223 of the first wiring portion 21 and the second wiring portion 22 may be arranged on the subject side along the optical axis from the imaginary plane P.

In the above description, the first layer 223 of the second wiring part 22 is disposed above the first layer 213 of the first wiring part 21 in the direction along the optical axis. However, the first layer 213 of the first wiring part 21 may be disposed above the first layer 223 of the second wiring part 22 in the direction along the optical axis. Alternatively, the first layer 213 of the first wiring part 21 and the first layer 223 of the second wiring part 22 may be disposed at the same position in the direction along the optical axis. In this case, it is preferable that either one of the curved part 217 of the first wiring part 21 or the curved part 227 of the second wiring part 22 is inclined toward the z-axis + side or the z-axis - side in the vicinity of the curved part 217 of the first wiring part 21 or the curved part 227 of the second wiring part 22. Alternatively, the first wiring part 21 may be drawn out from the y-axis - side of the second opening 504, and the second wiring part 22 may be drawn out from the y-axis + side of the first opening 502. However, the length of the second layer 224 of the second wiring section 22 along the y-axis must be at least 50 percent of the length of the side surface 501 of the case 50.

Also, only the first wiring portion 21 may have the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, or only the second wiring portion 22 may have the above-mentioned configuration. Also, the first wiring portion 21 and the second wiring portion 22 may be folded to have a structure of three or more layers. Also, the wiring board 20 may further have a wiring portion that is connected to a surface of the sensor board 13 different from the surface to which the first wiring portion 21 and the second wiring portion 22 are connected.

<Portable information terminal>
Fig. 10 shows an example of a portable information terminal (portable electronic device) equipped with a camera unit 1A according to this embodiment. The illustrated portable information terminal 100 is a smartphone. As can be understood from the above description, the portable information terminal (smartphone) 100 shown in Fig. 10 appropriately corrects camera shake and the like when capturing moving images or still images.

The above-described embodiment provides the following advantages:

(1) The wiring board 20 has a first wiring section 21 and a second wiring section 22, the first wiring section 21 is connected to the sensor board 13 at the first surface 131 of the sensor board 13, and the second wiring section 22 is connected to the sensor board 13 at the second surface 132 adjacent to the first surface 131. The first wiring section 21 and the second wiring section 22 have multiple wiring layers that are positioned differently in the direction along the optical axis of the lens 11. This allows the tension of the wiring board 20 to be distributed to the x-axis side and the y-axis side (i.e., the yawing axis and the pitching axis). For example, when the wiring board 20 is connected to only one of the first surface 131 and the second surface 132 of the sensor board 13 and is disposed on the x-axis + side of the holder frame 40, the load of rotation on the pitching axis is larger than that of rotation on the yawing axis, so a large driving force is required. In contrast, the configuration of the embodiment makes it possible to rotate about the yaw axis and the pitch axis with the same driving force. In other words, it is possible to prevent either the rotation about the yaw axis or the rotation about the pitch axis from being hindered.

The first wiring portion 21 of the wiring board 20 is disposed on the negative y-axis side of the holder frame 40, and the second wiring portion 22 is disposed on the positive x-axis side of the holder frame 40. This allows the camera unit 1A to be made more compact than when the camera unit 1A is disposed on either the x-axis side or the y-axis side, and space to accommodate the wiring is provided on only one side of the holder frame 40. In particular, because the camera unit 1A has a shape close to a square when viewed from the top and bottom, it becomes easier to lay out the camera unit 1A when it is incorporated into a portable information terminal or the like.

(2) Of the wiring layers of the first wiring section 21 and the second wiring section 22, the length of the first layers 213, 223 is 50 percent or more of the length of the side surfaces 506, 501 of the housing member 50. In addition, of the wiring layers of the first wiring section 21 and the second wiring section 22, the length of the second layers 214, 224 is 50 percent or less of the length of the side surfaces 506, 501 of the housing member 50. This reduces the effect of tension in the length direction of the first layers 213, 223, thereby reducing the adverse effect on the swinging of the camera module 10.

(3) The first layers 213, 223 of the first wiring section 21 and the second wiring section 22 are disposed closer to the subject in the direction along the optical axis (z-axis direction) than the imaginary plane P. The second layers 214, 224 are disposed closer to the image sensor 12 in the direction along the optical axis (z-axis direction) than the imaginary plane P. This makes it possible to balance the stress applied to the first layers 213, 223 due to the swinging of the camera module 10 and the stress applied to the second layers 214, 224.

The above embodiment can be modified as follows:

<First Modification>
In the embodiment, the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 and the first layer 223 of the second wiring portion 22 are disposed on the subject side of the imaginary plane P, but this is not limiting. At least one of the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 and the first layer 223 of the second wiring portion 22 may be disposed on the same plane as the imaginary plane P in the z-axis direction.

Figure 11 is a side view of the support member 62, sensor board 13, and wiring board 20 of the support mechanism 60 of the camera unit 1A of the first modified example, viewed from the negative y-axis side. In the first modified example, the camera unit 1A has the same configuration as in the embodiment. However, the length ΔD1a along the z-axis of the bent portion 212a of the first wiring portion 21 differs from the embodiment. In the first modified example, the length ΔD1a of the bent portion 212a is shorter than the length ΔD1 of the bent portion 212a in the embodiment. Therefore, the second layer 214 is positioned at the same position (height) as the imaginary plane P along the z-axis.

In the above description, the first layer 213 of the first wiring part 21 is disposed at the same position (height) as the imaginary plane P, but the first layer 223 of the second wiring part 22 may be disposed at the same position (height) as the imaginary plane P. Also, the first layer 213 of the first wiring part 21 and the first layer 223 of the second wiring part 22 may be disposed at the same position (height) as the imaginary plane P. In this case, in the vicinity of the curved part 217 of the first wiring part 21 or the curved part 227 of the second wiring part 22, either one may be inclined toward the z-axis + side or the z-axis - side. Alternatively, the first wiring part 21 may be drawn out from the y-axis - side of the second opening 504, and the second wiring part 22 may be drawn out from the y-axis + side of the first opening 502. However, it is necessary that the length along the y-axis of the first layer 223 of the second wiring part 22 is 50% or more of the length of the side surface 501 of the case 50.

<Second Modification>
In the embodiment, the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 and the first layer 223 of the second wiring portion 22 are disposed on the subject side with respect to the position of the imaginary plane P, but this is not limited to the above. At least one of the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 and the first layer 223 of the second wiring portion 22 may be disposed on the image sensor 12 side with respect to the imaginary plane P.

Figure 12 is a side view of the support member 62, sensor board 13, and wiring board 20 of the support mechanism 60 of the camera unit 1A of the second modified example, viewed from the negative y-axis side. In the second modified example, the camera unit 1A has the same configuration as in the embodiment. However, the length ΔD1b along the z-axis of the bent portion 212a of the first wiring portion 21 differs from the embodiment and the first modified example. In the second modified example, the length ΔD1b of the bent portion 212a is shorter than the length ΔD1a of the bent portion 212a of the first modified example. Therefore, the first layer 213 is positioned lower than the imaginary plane P in the direction along the optical axis of the lens 11 (z-axis direction).

As shown in FIG. 12, the second wiring part 22 has the same configuration as in the embodiment. That is, the first layer 223 of the second wiring part 22 is positioned higher than the imaginary plane P.

In the above description, the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 is disposed at a position lower than the imaginary plane P, but the first layer 223 of the second wiring portion 22 may be disposed at a position lower than the imaginary plane P. In this case, the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 has the same configuration as in the embodiment. That is, the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 is disposed at a position higher than the imaginary plane P. In other words, the first layer 213 of the first wiring portion 21 may be disposed on the subject side of the imaginary plane P, and the first layer 223 of the second wiring portion 22 may be disposed on the image sensor 12 side of the imaginary plane P.

The first layer 213 of the first wiring part 21 and the first layer 223 of the second wiring part 22 may be disposed on the imaging element 12 side from the imaginary plane P. Alternatively, the first layer 213 of the first wiring part 21 and the first layer 223 of the second wiring part 22 may be disposed at the same position (height) on the imaging element 12 side from the imaginary plane P. In this case, it is preferable that either one of the curved part 217 of the first wiring part 21 or the curved part 227 of the second wiring part 22 is inclined toward the z-axis + side or the z-axis - side in the vicinity of the curved part 217 of the first wiring part 21 or the curved part 227 of the second wiring part 22. Alternatively, the first wiring part 21 may be drawn out from the y-axis - side of the second opening 504, and the second wiring part 22 may be drawn out from the y-axis + side of the first opening 502. However, it is necessary that the length along the y-axis of the second layer 224 of the second wiring part 22 is 50% or more of the length of the side surface 501 of the case 50.

<Third Modification>
In the embodiment, the end 211a of the connection portion 211 of the first wiring portion 21 and the end 221a of the connection portion 221 of the second wiring portion 22 are bent toward the z-axis + side and fixed, but this is not limited to the above. The second layer 214 connected to the end 211a of the connection portion 211 of the first wiring portion 21 and the second layer 224 connected to the end 221a of the connection portion 221 of the second wiring portion 22 may be fixed to a part of the holder frame 40. That is, each of the first wiring portion 21 and the second wiring portion 22 is bent toward the subject side along the optical axis of the lens 11 near the connection with the sensor board 13 and fixed to the holder frame 40.

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the sensor board 13, wiring board 20, and holder frame 40 of the camera unit 1A of the third modified example. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the camera unit 1A shown in Figure 13 from below. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the sensor board 13 and holder frame 40 of the camera unit 1A shown in Figure 14.

The holder frame 40 has a wiring support part 411 that supports the first wiring part 21 on the negative side of the y axis, and a wiring support part 412 that supports the second wiring part 22 on the positive side of the x axis. The wiring support part 411 has a wiring attachment part 413 on a seat surface 415 on the lower surface (negative side of the z axis). The wiring attachment part 413 has a shape that protrudes from the seat surface 415 of the wiring support part 411 to the negative side of the z axis, and protrudes to the positive side of the y axis at the negative end of the z axis. The wiring support part 412 has a wiring attachment part 414 on a seat surface 416 on the lower surface (negative side of the z axis). The wiring attachment part 414 has a shape that protrudes from the seat surface 416 of the wiring support part 412 to the negative side of the z axis, and protrudes to the negative side of the x axis at the negative end of the z axis. In other words, the wiring attachment parts 413, 414 have a hook shape.

An opening 219 is formed in the second layer 214 of the first wiring part 21. The wiring attachment part 413 of the wiring support part 411 described above is inserted into the opening 219 from the z-axis + side, and the part protruding to the y-axis + side supports the second layer 214 from the z-axis - side. As a result, the first wiring part 21 is fixed to the z-axis - side surface, which is the seat surface 415 of the wiring support part 411, by the hook-shaped wiring attachment part 413.

Similarly, an opening 229 is formed in the second layer 224 of the second wiring part 22. The wiring attachment part 414 of the wiring support part 412 described above is inserted into the opening 229 from the z-axis + side, and the part protruding to the x-axis - side supports the first layer 223 from the z-axis - side. As a result, the second wiring part 22 is fixed to the z-axis - side surface, which is the seat surface 416 of the wiring support part 412, by the hook-shaped wiring attachment part 414. The other configurations can be the same as those of the embodiment, the first modified example, or the second modified example.

The above configuration makes it possible to raise the wiring board 20 toward the + side of the z axis without increasing the number of parts and without applying stress to the wiring board 20.

Although various embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these. Other embodiments that are conceivable within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention.

1A...camera unit, 10...camera module, 11...lens, 12...imaging element, 13...sensor board, 20...wiring board, 21...first wiring section, 22...second wiring section, 30...module holding mechanism, 40...movable member (holder frame), 50...accommodating member (case), 51...first accommodation space, 60...support mechanism, 62...support member, 70...driving mechanism, 100...portable information terminal (smartphone), 211, 221...connection section, 212, 222...extension portion, 212a, 222a...folded portion, 213, 223...first layer, 214, 224...second layer, 215, 225...reinforcing member, 216, 226...fixing member, 219, 229...opening, 300, 301, 302...external output terminal, 411, 412...wiring support portion, 413, 414...wiring attachment portion, 415, 416...seat surface, 501, 506...side surface, 510...second storage space, 520...third storage space

Claims (12)

a camera module including a sensor substrate, an imaging element mounted on the sensor substrate, and an optical element that focuses light on the imaging element;
a movable member in which the camera module is housed;
a housing member that houses the movable member;
a support mechanism that supports the movable member rotatably relative to the housing member about an axis that intersects with an optical axis of the optical element;
a drive mechanism for rotating the movable member relative to the housing member;
a wiring board connected to the sensor board and transmitting a signal output from the imaging element;
The wiring board has at least two wiring portions,
a first wiring portion of the wiring portion is connected to the sensor substrate on a first surface of the sensor substrate, and a second wiring portion of the wiring portion is connected to the sensor substrate on a second surface perpendicular to the first surface;
At least one of the first wiring portion and the second wiring portion has a plurality of wiring layers that are positioned differently in a direction along an optical axis of the optical element. 2. The camera unit according to claim 1,
the wiring layers extend parallel to one of the side surfaces of the housing member;
A camera unit, wherein a length of at least a first layer of the plurality of wiring layers is 50 percent or more of the one side surface, and lengths of other wiring layers are 50 percent or less of the one side surface. 3. The camera unit according to claim 2,
the support mechanism includes a pair of support members provided on a diagonal line of the movable member and another pair of support members provided on another diagonal line,
the movable member swings about a virtual plane connecting the plurality of support members;
the plurality of wiring layers include at least the first layer arranged on the subject side in a direction along the optical axis relative to the virtual plane, and a second layer arranged on the image sensor side in a direction along the optical axis relative to the virtual plane. 3. The camera unit according to claim 2,
the support mechanism includes a pair of support members provided on a diagonal line of the movable member and another pair of support members provided on another diagonal line,
the movable member swings about a virtual plane connecting the plurality of support members;
the plurality of wiring layers include at least the first layer arranged on the same plane as the virtual surface in the direction along the optical axis, and a second layer arranged closer to the image sensor than the virtual surface in the direction along the optical axis. 3. The camera unit according to claim 2,
the support mechanism includes a pair of support members provided on a diagonal line of the movable member and another pair of support members provided on another diagonal line,
the movable member swings about a virtual plane connecting the plurality of support members;
the wiring layers include at least the first layer and the second layer that are arranged closer to the imaging element in the direction along the optical axis than the virtual plane. The camera unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
an external output terminal connected to one end of the first wiring portion and one end of the second wiring portion;
The external output terminals of the camera unit are arranged in parallel. 7. The camera unit according to claim 6,
a fixing member that fixes each of the first wiring portion and the second wiring portion to the housing member;
The fixed member divides each of the first wiring portion and the second wiring portion into a swinging region that swings together with the movable member and an external connection region that is connected to the external output terminal. 8. The camera unit according to claim 7,
The first wiring portion and the second wiring portion are fixed to the fixing member at different positions along an optical axis of the optical element. A camera unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A camera unit, wherein each of the first wiring portion and the second wiring portion is bent toward a subject along an optical axis of the optical element in the vicinity of the connection to the sensor substrate. 10. The camera unit according to claim 9,
A part of the wiring board is fixed to the movable member. 11. The camera unit according to claim 10,
The movable member has a seat surface to which the wiring board is fixed. A portable information terminal equipped with a camera unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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