JP2006098595A - Camera module and personal digital assistant equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera module constituted to be small in size and light in weight even when an autofocus (AF) function and a zoom function are incorporated, and a personal digital assistant equipped with the camera module. <P>SOLUTION: The camera module is constituted of a plurality of lens holding parts constituted respectively by arranging a lens holding part main body for holding at least one or more optical lenses, and a piezoelectric element whose actuation part abuts on a shaft member provided in parallel with the optical axis of the optical lens while it is energized by an energizing member and whose movable resonance frequency is made to differ for every lens holding part main body; a power supply line for supplying power to each piezoelectric element; and a single power supply means for selectively supplying power having different frequency to the power supply line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera module and a mobile terminal including the camera module, and more particularly to a camera module configured to be small and light and a mobile terminal including the camera module.

  Camera modules used in mobile terminals such as recent cellular phones are equipped with high-speed, high-precision autofocus (AF) functions similar to those of ordinary electronic cameras (digital cameras) as the image sensor (CCD) increases in pixel count. And a focal length change (zoom) function are required, and further downsizing and weight reduction of the mobile terminal itself inevitably requires the camera module to be reduced in size and weight.

  In order to perform autofocus and change in focal length (zoom) in such a camera module, it is necessary to move the lens group in the direction of the optical axis. As shown in the figure, one cylindrical cam arranged on the side surface of the optical system is driven by a motor to drive the zoom lens frame and the AF lens frame, and the cylindrical cam is also arranged adjacent to the lens frame. Is driven by a motor, thereby moving the lens frame for autofocus and the zoom lens frame to switch between two points of tele and macro.

  In addition to the cylindrical cam, the autofocus lens frame and zoom lens frame are configured to be driven by the corresponding autofocus lead screw and zoom lead screw, and the lens closest to the subject is fixed to the front of the case. The lead screw is provided at the corner of one side of the case, the lens frame guide support portion is provided in the case, the zoom lead screw is provided in the first quadrant around the optical axis, and the focus lead screw is provided in the second quadrant. There is a camera module configured such that the guide shaft of the lens frame is arranged in the third quadrant, a camera module having a mechanism for moving the lens group in the optical axis direction using a helicoid mechanism, and the like.

  However, in conventional camera modules using such cylindrical cams, lead screws, helicoids, etc., electromagnetic motors or pulse motors having a rotor are generally used as the drive source. The electromagnetic motor that uses the rotor requires an electromagnet or permanent magnet around it, and even if the axial length is shortened, the cylindrical part is indispensable. In addition, noise is also generated.

  Therefore, in order to solve the disadvantages of such an electromagnetic motor, a piezo element (PZT) that generates mechanical distortion in response to changes in electric and magnetic fields has been conventionally used as a drive source for moving the lens frame in the optical axis direction. A frictional drive type drive source is used in which a mechanical vibrator is constituted by a piezoelectric element such as a rotor, and a rotor or a slider is brought into contact with the mechanical vibrator so that the vibration of the mechanical vibrator can be extracted as an output. Such a friction drive type drive source is low speed but has high torque and excellent response and controllability, enables fine positioning, has a holding torque (or holding force) when not energized, has excellent quietness, It has advantages such as small size and light weight.

  For example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 show a lens moving device in which a piezoelectric element is disposed in contact with an end of a feed screw for driving a lens frame to give an incremental rotation. The lens frame is moved by a feed screw that is rotated by the vibration of the conversion element in contact with the electro-mechanical energy conversion element that vibrates by applying an electric signal, as shown in Patent Document 5, A linear drive type vibration wave actuator (piezoelectric element) that directly drives the lens frame by abutting the piezoelectric element has been proposed.

  Furthermore, a piezoelectric element is disposed on either the lens frame or the lens barrel so that the lens is driven by the elliptical motion of the piezoelectric element, or a rotor is disposed at the end of the lead screw so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the rotor. A structure in which a piezoelectric element is arranged and a rotor is rotated to move a lens has been proposed. As a friction drive type drive source using such a piezo element (PZT), for example, Patent Literature 6 to Patent Document 11 and the like.

JP 7-63970 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-291213 JP-A-4-221910 JP-A-8-47273 JP-A-7-104166 JP-A-7-184382 Japanese Patent No. 2980541 JP 9-37575 A JP 2000-40313 A Special table 2002-529037 gazette Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-501988

  However, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 5 are mechanisms for driving a camera lens of a normal size, and camera modules used in mobile terminals such as mobile phones are always required to be downsized. It's too big to be applied to these mobile devices.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera module that can be configured to be small and lightweight even when an autofocus (AF) function and a zoom function are incorporated, and a portable terminal including the camera module.

In order to solve the above problems, the camera module according to the present invention is:
First and second lens holding portions that hold at least one or more optical lenses;
A shaft member disposed substantially parallel to the optical axis;
A first piezo element that has an operating part that contacts the shaft member and that can be driven by a signal of a first frequency housed in the first lens holding part;
A second piezo element that has an operating part that contacts the shaft member and that can be driven by a signal of a second frequency housed in the second lens holding part;
And a common signal supply member for supplying the first frequency signal to the first piezo element and supplying the second frequency signal to the second piezo element.

A mobile terminal using the camera module is
First and second lens holding portions that hold at least one or more optical lenses;
A shaft member disposed substantially parallel to the optical axis;
A first piezo element that has an operating part that contacts the shaft member and that can be driven by a signal of a first frequency housed in the first lens holding part;
A second piezo element that has an operating part that contacts the shaft member and that can be driven by a signal of a second frequency housed in the second lens holding part;
A common signal supply member for supplying a signal of the first frequency to the first piezo element and supplying a signal of the second frequency to the second piezo element;
An operation member, a display member, a battery, a communication unit,
A housing that houses the camera module, the display member, the battery, and the communication unit, and that has a thickness dimension substantially limited to the height of the camera module.

  In this way, by changing the driving frequency of the piezo element provided in the lens holding unit main body for each lens holding unit, the frequency of the (electrical) signal such as the power supply power, driving signal, and earth to be supplied is to be moved. A plurality of lens holding portions can be independently moved up and down simply by matching with the piezo elements held by the holding portion, and the control circuit of the piezo elements can be simplified. Therefore, by configuring the camera module and the mobile terminal in this way, if the piezo elements are driven separately, the plurality of lens holding portions can be moved up and down independently, and zooming and focusing can be performed. Therefore, a camera module having an autofocus (AF) function and a zoom function can be configured to be small and lightweight, and thus a portable terminal incorporating this camera module can be configured to be small and lightweight.

  In addition, since the signal supply member includes a first signal supply unit capable of selectively supplying the signal of the first frequency and the signal of the second frequency, the single signal supply unit has two frequencies. A signal can be supplied.

  And a second signal supply means capable of supplying a signal of the first frequency and a signal of the second frequency superimposed on the signal supply member, and the first frequency from the signal supplied from the signal supply member. And a second filter means for obtaining a signal of the second frequency from a signal supplied from the signal supply member, and an output of the first filter means. Is supplied to the first piezo element and the output of the second filter means is supplied to the second piezo element to extract signals of the first and second frequencies from the superimposed electric signal. It is possible to provide a camera module that can drive both piezo elements simultaneously and can quickly perform zooming and focusing.

  Further, the shaft member is the signal supply member, and the lens holding portion includes a slide member that is slidably in contact with the shaft member, and the signal is supplied through the slide member. An electric signal can be supplied from the immediate vicinity of the piezo element, and the lead wire and the like can be shortened accordingly.

  The sliding member uses a special urging member by energizing the piezo element to the shaft member side by energizing the piezo element so as to contact the shaft member by surrounding the shaft member. Without this, the sliding member can be brought into contact with the shaft member.

  And a guide shaft member for guiding the lens holding portion, wherein the guide shaft member is the signal supply member, and the lens holding portion has a bearing portion that contacts the guide shaft member, and the bearing portion By supplying the signal through the camera module, it is possible to obtain a camera module that can sufficiently cope with a case where a plurality of electric signal supply lines are required. Moreover, although this bearing part can be comprised cheaply by comprising with a sliding member, you may comprise using a roller etc.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small and lightweight camera module that incorporates an autofocus (AF) function and a zoom function, and a portable terminal including the camera module.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified, but are merely illustrative examples. Not too much.

  1A and 1B are perspective views of the camera module of the embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where the focal length changing lens is on the telephoto (tele) side, and FIG. 1B shows the focal length changing lens on the wide angle side. It shows a certain state. FIG. 2 shows a third lens unit holding the third lens group by removing the third lens holding unit holding the first lens group on the subject side and the second lens holding unit holding the second lens group in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one lens holding portion, a shaft member and a guide shaft member for moving the first lens holding portion up and down, and a part of a mechanism for moving the second lens holding portion. FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the holding portion, FIG. 4A is a view of the holding portion of the piezoelectric element in the first lens holding portion as viewed from the outside of the camera module, FIG. 4B is a view as viewed from the lens side, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a mechanism for moving and fixing a lens group for changing the focal length in the camera module of the embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a mechanism for changing the focal length in the camera module of the embodiment and at the time of autofocusing. The lens movement state FIGS. 7A and 7B show a state in which the lens constituting the optical system in the camera module of the embodiment is on the wide-angle (wide) side (A), a state on the telephoto (tele) side (B), and a telephoto (telephoto). ) Side and wide angle (wide) side for explaining the movement range of the focusing lens, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the piezo element used in the camera module according to the embodiment, and the principle of operation FIGS. 9B and 9C are plan views of modified examples of the first lens holding unit, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of moving the focal length changing lens holding unit. 11 is a perspective view showing Example 2 of the camera module according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a lens holding unit configured to hold the lens and the piezo element in Example 2 so as to be vertically movable. , Figure 13 holds the lens and piezo element A plan view (A) in another embodiment of the lens holding unit configured to be vertically movable, a side view (B) viewed from the piezo element side, and a side view of the roller that contacts the guide shaft of the lens holding unit ( FIG. 14C is a perspective view of the camera module of the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the camera module of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16A is an example of a control circuit for driving a plurality of piezoelectric elements having different movable resonance frequencies, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a piezoelectric element portion. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example schematically. In the figure, the same number is attached | subjected to the same component.

  1A and 1B are perspective views of the camera module 1 according to the embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where the focal length changing lens is on the telephoto (tele) side, and FIG. FIG. 2 illustrates a third lens holding unit 20 that holds the first lens group 2 on the subject side in FIG. 1 and a second lens holding unit 21 that holds the second lens group 3. The first lens holding portion 22 holding the third lens group 4, the shaft member 23 for moving the first lens holding portion 22 up and down, the guide shaft member 24, and the second lens holding portion 21 are moved. It is the perspective view which showed a part of mechanism made to do. The camera module 1 in this embodiment is described as a bifocal type camera module that switches the focal length between a telephoto (tele) side and a wide angle (wide) side as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the bifocal type, and is continuous. The present invention is also applicable to a normal zoom lens that can change the focal length.

  As shown in FIG. 7 and described later, the camera module 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a first lens group 2 on the subject side, a second lens group 3 disposed on the imaging element 5 side, Further, as shown in FIG. 2, it has a third lens group 4 (not shown in FIG. 1) arranged on the image sensor 5 side, and each lens group holds the first lens group 2. A third lens holding unit 20, a cylindrical second lens holding unit 21 that holds the second lens group 3, and a first lens holding that holds a third lens group 4, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. Held in the portion 22.

  Then, support arms 211 provided in the second lens holding portion 21 are inserted into substantially corner portions of the third lens holding portion 20 and a base 26 that holds the imaging element 5 such as a CCD (not shown). In the piezo element 10 as a driving member, which has a substantially rectangular plate-like outer shape, is arranged in the first lens holding portion 22 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, and will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In order to move the second lens holding portion 21 and the first lens holding portion 22 up and down by bringing the spacer 15 as the operating portion into contact, a shaft member preferably disposed substantially symmetrically and in parallel with the optical axis as a center. 23 and a guide shaft member 24 are provided. The shaft member 23 may be constituted by a lead screw or the like.

  Further, from the third lens holding unit 20, the second lens group 3 held by the second lens holding unit 21 is fixed to the wide-angle side and the telephoto side, and as shown in FIG. The latch arm 25 is suspended, and grooves 212 and 213 as latched portions for latching the latch arm 25 are provided above and below the outer periphery of the second lens holding portion 21. Further, when the second lens holding portion 21 is moved up and down for changing the focal length, the first lens holding portion 22 is provided with a convex portion on the outer peripheral side as shown in FIG. A second lens holding part moving member 226 having an engaging part for moving the second lens holding part 21 together with an unlocking part for releasing the latch of the latch arm 25 with respect to the part 21, and the first lens holding part 22 The V-shaped roller 225, which is a roller member, is provided at two locations on the right side of the first lens holding portion 22 in the upper and lower sides and only one on the left side for balance. The details of the mechanism for moving the second lens holding portion 21 for changing the focal length will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 shows a state (A) where the lens constituting the optical system in the camera module of the embodiment is on the wide-angle (wide) side, a state (B) where the lens is on the telephoto (tele) side, and a telephoto (tele) side and wide-angle ( FIG. 8C is a diagram (C) for explaining the moving range of the focusing lens on the wide side, and is for changing the focal length arranged on the first lens group 2 on the subject side and on the imaging element 5 side. FIGS. 7A and 7B show the second lens group 3 and the third lens group 4 for changing the focal length disposed on the image sensor 5 side and for focusing (focusing). As shown in FIG. 7A, the second lens group 3 and the third lens group are each composed of at least one optical lens and the first lens group 2 is fixed in position. Telephoto (telephoto) when 4 moves to the image sensor 5 side using a CCD or the like Becomes, the second lens group 3 as shown in FIG. 7 (B), the a wide-angle when the third lens group 4 is closer to the first 2-side lens unit.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the position of each lens group and the moving range for focusing are shown in correspondence with the lens group positions shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. For the purpose of focusing, the third lens group 4 has, for example, the range indicated by 6 in FIG. 7C in the case of the wide-angle (wide) side in FIG. In the case of the tele side, the range shown by 7 in FIG. 7C is moved to focus (focus).

  The camera module 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 realizes this movement of the accommodated lens group by using the piezo element 10 as shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a piezo element used in a camera module according to the embodiment, (B) is a configuration of the piezo element, and (C) is a diagram for explaining an operation principle. As described in detail in Patent Documents 6 to 11, the piezo element 10 used here is the length of a piezoelectric ceramic (piezo element) 11 formed in a substantially rectangular plate-like outer shape in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8 (B), four electrodes 121, 122, 123, and 124 are formed on the entire surface of the second surface 13 on the opposite side. One electrode is provided. The electrodes 121, 122, 123, and 124 on the first surface 12 are formed by the wires 125 and 126 that are arranged in the vicinity of the connecting portions of the respective electrodes 121, 122, and 123, 124 arranged in the diagonal direction. It is preferable that the electrodes are electrically connected and the second surface 13 is grounded.

  Further, on the third surface 14 in the short direction, a spacer 15 which is a relatively hard ceramic operating portion is attached by, for example, a bonding agent, preferably near the center of the side, to the object 16 to be relatively moved. It is designed to engage. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the piezoelectric ceramic (piezo element) 11 can be deformed by a pair of support bodies 171 and 172 fixed around and a support body 173, 174 and 175 with springs. Supported by

  When a positive voltage is applied to the electrodes 121 and 124 and a negative voltage is applied to the electrodes 122 and 123 in the piezoelectric ceramic (piezo element) 11 configured as described above, the piezoelectric ceramic (piezo element) 11 is shown in FIG. ), The left side of the figure is longer than the right side and can be deformed by being supported by spring-supported supports 173, 174, 175, so that the object with which the spacer 15 is engaged is shown. Move 16 right. When no voltage is applied, the piezoelectric ceramic (piezo element) 11 returns to its original state. At this time, for example, when an asymmetric voltage pulse whose fall time is at least four times longer than the rise time is applied to the electrode, the piezoelectric ceramic. Due to the friction between the spacer 15 and the object 16 in the (piezo element) 11, the spacer 15 returns to the starting position while the spacer 15 and the object 16 are engaged at the fall of the pulse. And the object 16 move relatively. When the voltage is applied in the reverse direction, the piezoelectric ceramic (piezo element) 11 is deformed in the opposite direction, and thus the spacer 15 and the object 16 move in the opposite directions.

  In this way, the piezoelectric ceramic (piezo element) 11 continuously gives a signal voltage that causes deformation as shown in FIG. 8C, so that the object 16 is caused by friction between the spacer 15 and the object 16. Since the relative position is displaced, it is low-speed but high torque, excellent response and controllability, fine positioning is possible, and it has a holding torque (or holding force) when there is no power, quietness It is a drive source having advantages such as being excellent in size, small size and light weight.

  3 is a plan view of the first lens holding portion 22 holding the third lens group 4, and FIG. 4 is a view of the holding portion of the piezo element in the first lens holding portion as viewed from the outside of the camera module. (A) and the figure (B) seen from the lens side. The first lens holding unit 22 holding the third lens group 4 moves the second lens holding unit 21 holding the second lens group 3 up and down, as shown in FIG. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 3, two second lens holding portion moving members 226 having an unlocking portion and an engaging portion constituting the latch mechanism shown are provided symmetrically with respect to the optical axis. The third lens group 4 described above is held at the center. The first lens holding portion 22 is opposed to the central portion 221 provided with the third lens group 4 via a slit 223 formed substantially symmetrically about the optical axis, and is connected by a thin portion 224. A holding portion 222 of the piezo element 10 that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis is provided and divided into three parts. Further, a rotationally symmetric position with respect to the central optical axis of the lens group 4 is shown in FIG. As described above, there are provided bearing portions in which V-shaped rollers 225 which are roller members that move the first lens holding portion 22 up and down while rotating are respectively disposed at two upper and lower portions. As described above, the holding portion 22 of the piezo element 10 on the opposite side across the optical axis is a bearing portion provided with only one V-type roller 225 for balance.

  The holding part 222 of the piezo element 10 in the first lens holding part 22 is provided with a holding part 228 for holding the main part of the piezo element 10 by opening the left side in the drawing as shown in FIG. 8B is provided so that a space for inserting and holding the piezo element 10 is provided in the piezo element 10 and the piezo element 10 can be deformed as shown in FIG. 8C. In addition, a member corresponding to the support shown by 171 and 172 and the support with spring shown by 173 and 174 (coil spring 227 corresponds to the support with spring of 175) is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, on the right side of the holding portion 228 in the drawing, as described above, the guide shaft member 24 has V in two places on the upper and lower sides so that the holding portion 228 can be smoothly moved up and down. A V-shaped roller 225 is provided as a roller member with which the mold portion abuts.

  On the other hand, between the holding portion 222 of the piezo element 10 and the central portion 221 where the second lens group 3 is arranged, the spacer 15 in the piezo element 10 arranged in the holding portion 222 is pressed against the shaft member 23 with a predetermined pressing force. Therefore, the coil spring 227 is disposed at a position corresponding to the position where the V-shaped roller 225 is provided, and the holding portion 222 of the piezo element 10 and the central portion 221 where the second lens group 3 is disposed are separated from each other. The power of is added.

  The coil spring 227 has, for example, a hole for receiving the coil spring 227 on the central portion 221 side where the third lens group 4 is arranged, and this holding portion on the holding portion 222 side of the piezo element 10 opposed through the slit 223. A hole with a female screw cut through the outer wall of 222 is provided, and a coil spring 227 is inserted into the hole on the center portion 221 side through this hole, and then the male screw is inserted to close the hole and adjust the pressure contact force of the coil spring 227 The central portion 221 provided with the third lens group 4 and the holding portion 222 side of the piezo element 10 are separately created, and a hole for inserting the coil spring 227 is provided in both, and the coil spring 227 is inserted. Thereafter, the thin portions 224 are provided so as to be connected to each other by screwing, welding, or the like. Further, the thin portion 224 is formed of a spring member, and the holding portion 222 of the piezo element 10 is opened from the central portion 221 where the second lens group 3 is arranged by utilizing the spring property, and the coil spring 227 is formed in a hole provided in these portions. May be loaded.

  By providing the slit 223 and the coil spring 227 in the first lens holding portion 22 in this way, the third lens group 4 held by the slit 223 has a degree of freedom in the circumferential direction and rigidity in the optical axis direction. Furthermore, the spacer 15 in the piezo element 10 disposed on the holding portion 222 by the coil spring 227 can be pressed against the shaft member 23 with a predetermined pressing force. Then, the first lens holding portion 22 to which a force that rotates around the optical axis is applied to the shaft member 23 by the pressing force is stopped by the V-type roller 225 in contact with the guide shaft member 24, By applying a signal voltage that continuously causes deformation as shown in FIG. 8C to the piezo element 10, the first lens holding portion 22 is caused by the frictional force between the spacer 15 and the shaft member 23. Can move up and down.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the second lens holding portion 21 that holds the second lens group 3 is supported by a support arm 211 that extends in the direction of the shaft member 23 and passes through the shaft member 23. As the lens holding portion 22 is moved up and down, it is latched by the latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 at positions on the telephoto (tele) side in FIG. 1A and the wide-angle (wide) side in FIG. .

  FIG. 5 schematically shows components constituting the latch mechanism. FIG. 6 shows that the second lens holding portion 21 that holds the second lens group 3 by the latch mechanism schematically shown in FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed how it moved by the movement of the 1st lens holding | maintenance part 22 holding 3 lens groups 4, and how it was fixed. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a part of the second lens holding portion 21 that holds the second lens group 3 indicated by 21 in FIG. 1 and is a locked portion provided above and below the second lens holding portion 21. Grooves 212 and 213 are latch grooves for latching by a latch portion 251 which is a latching portion provided on the latch arm indicated by 25 in FIG. 1, and 214 is a groove 226 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Engagement for moving the second lens holding portion 21 holding the second lens group 3 downward in the figure by engaging the first engaging portion 226f of the second lens holding portion moving member shown. A portion bent in a mountain shape on the side of the lens holding portion 21 in the latch arm 25 indicated by a joint portion 251 is a latch portion which is a locking portion, and 252 is a latch of the latch portion 251 in the latch arm 25. Parts for releasing the latch 226b, 226c, Reference numeral 26d denotes an inclined portion (226b, 226d) and a top portion (226c), which are latch release portions for releasing the latch of the latch portion 251 on the latch release portion 252 on the latch arm 25, and 226a, 226e are As described above, the flat portion 226 f that is latched is the first engaging portion, and 226 g is the second engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion 214.

  6A shows a wide-angle state in which the second lens group 3 and the third lens group 4 shown in FIG. 7A are separated from the first lens group 2, and FIG. ) Is the telephoto state shown in FIG. 7B in which the second lens group 3 and the third lens group 4 are close to the first lens group 2, and FIGS. It is an intermediate state. Similarly, FIG. 6 (P) shows a wide-angle state in which the second lens group 3 and the third lens group 4 are separated from the first lens group 2, and FIG. 6 (K) to (N) in the meantime. Is an intermediate state. 6A shows the range in which the third lens group 4 on the wide-angle side shown by 6 in FIG. 7C moves for focusing. Reference numeral 7 in 6 (H) denotes a range in which the third lens group 4 on the telephoto side moves for focusing.

  In the wide-angle state where the second lens group 3 and the third lens group 4 in FIG. 6A are separated from the first lens group 2, as shown in FIG. The latch portion 251 of the latch arm 25 suspended from the portion 20 latches the latch groove 212 in the second lens holding portion 21 and fixes it at the wide-angle position, and the second lens provided in the first lens holding portion 22. Since the lens holding portion moving member 226 is provided with the engaged portion 214 in the second lens holding portion 21 between the first engaging portion 226f and the second engaging portion 226g, the first lens holding portion 226 is provided. Even if the portion 22 is driven by the piezo element 10 for focusing (focusing) and moves within the range indicated by reference numeral 6, it can move without contacting the engaged portion 214.

  When shifting from this state to the telephoto state shown in FIG. 7B, as shown in FIG. 6B, the first lens holding portion 22 is driven upward in the figure by the piezo element 10. The second lens holding portion moving member 226 is raised, and the inclined portion 226d pushes up the latch release portion 252 in the latch arm 25. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the latch release portion 252 reaches the top portion 226c of the second lens holding portion moving member 226, the latch portion 251 of the latch groove 212 in the second lens holding portion 21 latches. 6D, the latch release portion 252 rides on the top portion 226c of the second lens holding portion moving member 226, and the latch portion 251 comes into contact with the second lens holding portion 21. At the same time, the engaged portion 214 and the second engaging portion 226g come into contact with each other, and the second lens holding portion 21 is pushed up.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 6E, 6F, and 6G, when the second lens holding portion 21 is pushed up and reaches the state of FIG. 6H, the latch 25 in the latch arm 25 is now latched. The part 251 latches the latching groove 213 in the second lens holding part 21 and fixes it at the telephoto position. Therefore, as in the case of FIG. 6A, the second lens holding portion moving member 226 provided in the first lens holding portion 22 has a first engagement portion 226f and a second engagement portion 226g. Since the engaged portion 214 of the second lens holding portion 21 is provided therebetween, the first lens holding portion 22 is driven by the piezo element 10 for focusing (focusing), and is denoted by reference numeral 7. Even if the range is moved, it can move without contacting the engaged portion 214.

  To return to the state shown in FIG. 6A from this state, as shown in FIG. 6K, the first lens holding portion 22 is driven downward in the figure by the piezo element 10, The second lens holding portion moving member 226 descends, and the inclined portion 226b pushes up the latch release portion 252 in the latch arm 25. Then, as shown in FIG. 6L, when the latch release portion 252 reaches the top portion 226c of the second lens holding portion moving member 226, the latch portion 251 of the latch groove 213 in the second lens holding portion 21 is latched. 6 and further descends to the state shown in FIG. 6 (M), and when the latch release portion 252 rides on the top portion 226 c of the second lens holding portion moving member 226, the latch portion 251 contacts the second lens holding portion 21. At the same time, the engaged portion 214 and the first engaging portion 226f come into contact with each other, and the second lens holding portion 21 is pushed down.

  Then, when the second lens holding portion 21 is pushed down as shown in FIG. 6 (N) and the state shown in FIG. 6 (P) is reached, the latch portion 251 in the latch arm 25 is now latched in the second lens holding portion 21. The groove 212 is latched and fixed at the wide-angle position, and the state returns to the state shown in FIG.

  In the camera module 1 of the embodiment configured as described above, the spacer 15 vibrates and reciprocates as described above by applying a drive current consisting of a drive signal to the piezo element 10 by a control circuit (not shown). The first lens holding portion 22 that is excited and holds the piezo element 10 moves upward or downward in FIG. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the second lens holding unit 21 is in the telephoto position (in FIG. 6H), and the camera module 1 is focused by a control circuit (not shown). In this case, by moving the first lens holding portion 22 within the range indicated by 7 in FIG. 7C, the focus on the image sensor indicated by 5 in FIG. 7B can be adjusted.

  When the camera module 1 is set to the wide-angle side shown in FIG. 1B (the state (P) or (A) in FIG. 6) from this state, the piezo element 10 is connected to the piezo element 10 by a control circuit (not shown). A drive current for moving the first lens holding unit 22 downward is applied. Then, the first lens holding portion 22 is lowered, and accordingly, the latch release portion 252 of the latch arm 25 shown in FIG. 5 rides on the inclined portion 226b of the second lens holding portion moving member 226, and the latch portion 251 is moved. The latch is disengaged from the latch groove 213 provided in the second lens holding portion 21.

  Then, when the first lens holding portion 22 is moved downward as it is, the latch portion 251 in the latch arm 25 is put on the latch groove 212 and the second lens holding portion 21 is fixed in the state shown in FIG. By moving the first lens holding unit 22 within a range indicated by 6 in FIG. 7C, the image sensor indicated by 5 in FIG. 7A can be focused. Accordingly, the movement range indicated by 6 and 7 in FIG. 7C in which the first lens holding portion 22 moves for focusing is the first engagement portion of the second lens holding portion moving member 226 in FIG. 226f and the second engaging portion 226g are within a range in which they can move without contacting the engaged portion 214. Note that the movement from the wide-angle side to the telephoto side is omitted because it has been described with reference to FIG.

  By configuring the camera module 1 in this way, it is possible to perform autofocus (AF) and change in focal length by simply applying a signal current to the piezo element 10, and the piezo element 10 is low in speed as described above. However, because it has advantages such as high torque, excellent response and controllability, small positioning and small size and light weight, it is a small and lightweight camera module that can change focal length and focus in a short time. Can be provided.

  Note that the configuration of the first lens holding portion 22 shown in FIG. 3 that holds the third lens group 4 and the configuration of the latch mechanism shown in FIG. 9, the latch 22 is not suspended from the third lens holding part 20 for holding the first lens group 2 as shown in FIG. As shown, it may be in the form of an arm 27 that rises from the base 26. In the first lens holding portion shown in FIG. 9, the same components as those used in the first lens holding portion 22 shown in FIG.

  First, the first lens holding portion shown in FIG. 9 makes the piezo element 10 contact the shaft member 23 in the first lens holding portion 22 shown in FIG. 3 and makes the V-shaped roller 225 contact the guide shaft member 24. The point to make is the same. However, in order to press the piezo element 10 against the shaft member 23, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the central portion 221 where the third lens group 4 is arranged by the slit 223 and the holding portion 222 of the piezo element 10 are separated, and a coil spring is interposed therebetween. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the urging member 19 is provided by bending the shaft holding member 18 of the V-shaped roller 225. By doing so, the coil spring Since it is not necessary to insert 227 between the central portion 221 where the third lens group 4 is disposed and the holding portion 222 of the piezo element 10, the assembly is facilitated accordingly. The operations and effects in this case are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG.

  Further, the latch mechanism shown in FIG. 10 does not hang the latch arm 25 shown in FIG. 1 from the third lens holding portion 20 holding the first lens group 2 but is an arm that rises from the base 26. 27, and the other operations are the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 and will not be described.

  In the above description, the piezo element 10 is provided in the first lens holding unit 22, and the first lens holding unit 22 is moved up and down by the piezo element 10 to move the second lens holding unit 21. The two-lens holding unit 21 may be provided with a piezo element so that it can be driven independently.

  11 is a partially omitted perspective view showing Example 2 of the camera module 60 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 12 is configured to be vertically movable while holding the lens 4 and the piezoelectric element 10 in Example 2. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the first lens holding unit 61, FIG. 13 is a plan view (A) of another embodiment of the first lens holding unit 62 configured to hold the lens and the piezo element, and the piezo element 10. The side view seen from the side (B), the side view (C) of the roller module 621 which contacts the guide shaft member 24 of the 1st lens holding | maintenance part 62, and a perspective view (D).

  In the camera module 60 shown in FIG. 11, the second lens holding unit 21 in the first embodiment is omitted, the third lens holding unit 20 is 63, and the base 26 is 64 for explanation. It is. In the figure, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, 4 is a third lens group, 10 is a piezo element, 15 is a spacer, and 221 is a third lens group 4. A central portion, 222 is a holding portion of the piezo element 10, 223 is a slit, 224 is a thin portion, 227 is a coil spring, 23 is a shaft member, and 24 is a guide shaft member.

  The camera module 1 of the first embodiment uses two V-type rollers 225 to stop the rotation of the first lens holding portion 22 as shown in FIG. When the roller 225 does not accurately contact the guide shaft member 24, the V-shaped roller 225 tries to contact the guide shaft member 24 due to the presence of the coil spring 227, and the light of the third lens group 4 held is held. The axis will be staggered.

  Therefore, in the first lens holding portion 61 shown in FIG. 12 in the camera module 60 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the roller that contacts the one guide shaft member 24 is the same V-shaped roller 611 as in the first embodiment. The roller 612 that contacts the other guide shaft member 24 is an ordinary cylindrical flat roller. In this way, since the flat roller 612 is merely in contact with the guide shaft 24, the contact position can be freely moved, and even if a manufacturing error occurs, the V-type roller 611 holds the first lens. The optical axis position of the third lens group 4 held by the unit 61 is defined, and the other flat roller 612 follows the optical axis position of the third lens group 4 so that the optical axis position of the third lens group 4 does not fluctuate. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 13 is a plan view (A) of another embodiment of the first lens holding portion 62 configured to hold the lens and the piezoelectric element so as to be vertically movable, and a side view (B) as viewed from the piezoelectric element 10 side. FIG. 7B is a side view of the roller module 621 that contacts the guide shaft member 24 of the first lens holding portion 62, and FIG.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, as is apparent from the plan view of the lens holding portion 62 configured to hold the piezo element 10 of FIG. The roller 622 is a cylindrical flat roller similar to the roller 612 shown in FIG. 12, and the roller that contacts the other guide shaft member 24 is a cylindrical flat roller 624, 625 serving as the guide shaft member 24. On the other hand, it is configured to be accommodated in a roller module 621 so as to be V-shaped. FIG. 13B is a side view of the first lens holding portion 22 viewed from the piezoelectric element 10 side, and FIGS. 13C and 13D are perspective views of the roller module 621 and the side view C. In FIG. (D), the flat roller rollers 624 and 625 are held in a V-shaped notch 626 provided in the roller module 621 so as to be V-shaped by a bearing 627 provided in a U-shape. Has been.

  That is, the V-shaped roller indicated by 611 in FIG. 12 may have a mold in the thrust direction due to a manufacturing error, and the optical axis of the third lens group 4 held by the first lens holding unit may fluctuate. However, by configuring the roller in contact with the guide shaft member 24 in this way, there is no occurrence of a thrust error when the V-type roller 611 is used, and even if a manufacturing error occurs, the flat roller 624, By bringing the guide shaft member 24 into contact with the V-shaped valley formed when the 625 are orthogonal to each other, the thrust backlash of the flat rollers 624 and 625 affects the optical axis of the third lens group 4. No wobbling. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, the wobbling of the optical axis of the third lens group 4 caused by a manufacturing error when the two V-type rollers 225 shown in FIG. 3 are used, the method shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 holds the first lens. For the rotation of the portions 61 and 62, the rollers to be brought into contact with the guide shaft member 23 are V-type rollers 611, flat rollers 612, flat rollers 624 and 625 are arranged so as to be V-shaped, etc. In addition to this, the center portion 221 of the first lens holding portion 22 where the third lens group 4 is arranged and the holding portion 222 of the piezo element 10 are biased in a direction to separate them. The strength of the two coil springs 227 disposed in the slit 223 may be different.

  In other words, the coil spring 227 is for contacting the spacer 15 in the piezo element 10 to the shaft member 23 with a predetermined pressing force. The contact force can be varied within a certain range, and two coil springs can be used. By varying the strength of 227, the V-shaped rollers 225 and 611 shown in FIGS. 3 and 12 and the cylindrical flat rollers 624 and 625 shown in FIG. The rollers brought into contact with each other are pressed in the thrust direction with a force corresponding to the difference in strength of the coil springs 227 having different strengths, and both of them come into contact with the guide shaft member 24 at normal positions due to manufacturing errors. Even if not, the roller pressed by the strong coil spring 227 abuts against the shaft member 24 and the optical axis of the held third lens group 4 does not fluctuate.

  In the above description, the wiring to the piezo element 10 has not been mentioned. However, when the piezo element 10 moves the first lens holding portion 22 itself holding the piezo element 10 as described above, a flexible substrate, A flexible cable or the like is used to supply power (electrical) signals such as power, drive signals, and ground. However, in the camera module 1 aiming for small size and light weight as in the present embodiment, the module itself is small, and therefore, when a flexible substrate or a flexible cable is used, the flexible substrate follows the movement range of the first lens holding portion 22. A certain amount of space must be secured so that it can be done. Therefore, in the camera module of the embodiment, the power is supplied by the power supply electrode provided on the guide shaft member 24, the shaft member 23, the housing, or the like.

  First, the power is supplied using the guide shaft member 24. The V-type roller 225 in FIG. 3, the V-type roller 611 in FIG. 12, the cylindrical flat roller 612, and the guide shaft member 24 in FIG. The cylindrical flat rollers 624, 625 and the like held by the roller module 621 so as to be V-shaped are made of metal, and the guide shaft member 24 is made of metal. And the roller are part of an electric signal supply line for supplying an electric signal for driving the piezo element 10, and a power source for supplying driving electric power is connected to the guide shaft member 24. Further, wiring for supplying an electric signal to the piezo element 10 is performed from the roller.

  Further, in the method using the shaft member 23, for example, the shaft member shown by 23 in FIG. The holding portion 222 of the piezo element 10 is provided with a rubbing brush as indicated by 70 in FIG. 12, and the rubbing brush 70 is connected to the piezo element 10 to supply power. In this case, the rubbing brush 70 is not provided only in one direction as shown in FIG. 12, but as shown in FIG. 14A, the rubbing brush 70 is sandwiched between the holding member 222 of the piezo element 10 and the shaft member 23 is sandwiched between them. Two rubbing brushes 71 and 72 are provided so that current can be collected efficiently, or as shown in FIG. 14B, the shaft member 23 is surrounded by the rubbing brush 73 and the rubbing brush 73 has a spring. The actuating portion 15 of the piezo element 10 may be urged so as to be in pressure contact with the shaft member 23.

  In addition to using the guide shaft member 24 and the shaft member 23, a metal foil or a conductive material that can be energized is attached to an appropriate location in the housing of the camera module 1, or a conductor is etched in advance. May be formed, and a rubbing brush may be brought into contact therewith to supply power. In this way, the space required for the flexible substrate in the movement range of the first lens holding portion 22 that is necessary when a flexible substrate is used becomes unnecessary, and the guide shaft member 24 and the shaft member 23 are long. Since power can be supplied without any problem, the camera module 1 can be made smaller.

  In the above description, as shown in FIG. 1, the second lens holding unit 21 is moved by the first lens holding unit 22 and fixed at the telephoto (tele) and wide angle (wide) positions. The case of the module has been described as an example. As described above, the second lens holding portion is also provided with a piezo element so that it can be moved independently, and not only the camera module as a bifocal type but also continuously. It is also possible to configure as a normal zoom lens capable of changing the focal length, and FIG. 15 shows an embodiment in that case.

  In FIG. 15, (A) is a perspective view of the camera module, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a piezo element portion. In the figure, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, 2 is a first lens group, 3 is a second lens group, 4 is a third lens group, and 5 is an image sensor. , 80 is a first lens holding unit that holds the third lens group 4, 81 is a second lens holding unit that holds the second lens group 3, and 82 is a third lens that holds the first lens group 2. A holding portion 83 is a first piezo element having an operating portion 84, 85 is a second piezo element having an operating portion 86, and 87 is a shaft member that abuts the operating portions 84, 86 of the piezo elements 83, 85, 88 , 89 are guide shaft members, 90 and 91 are urging members, and 92 and 93 are guide portions that guide the first lens holding portion 80 and the second lens holding portion 81 through the shaft member 87.

  When the camera module is configured in this way, the movement amounts of the lens holding units 80 and 81 are different each time due to a change in focal length or focusing (focusing). For this reason, generally, a flexible substrate or a flexible cable is used, and the drive electrical signals are generally sent separately to the piezo elements 83 and 85 arranged in the respective lens holding portions 80 and 81. In this method, as described in the third embodiment, a space is required so that the flexible substrate can follow the movement range of the lens holding portions 80 and 81 so as not to be buffered, and a control circuit is also required separately. Become.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the shape of the first surface formed in the longitudinal direction and the short direction indicated by 12 in FIG. 8 in the piezo elements 83 and 85 incorporated in the respective lens holding portions 80 and 81 is the piezo element 83. , 85 so that the movable resonance frequency of the piezo elements 83 and 85 is made different, for example, the piezo element 83 is the first frequency, the piezo element 85 is the second frequency, and so on. The piezoelectric elements 83 and 85 incorporated in the plurality of lens holding portions 80 and 81 can be driven separately.

  That is, as described in Patent Documents 6 to 11, the piezo elements 83 and 85 generate a driving force only at a specific resonance frequency depending on their shapes. Therefore, as described above, the piezo elements 83 and 85 incorporated in the respective lens holding portions 80 and 81 are made different in shape so that they can be driven at different resonance frequencies, and the focal length change and focusing (focusing) can be achieved. At this time, a drive electric signal having a resonance frequency corresponding to the piezo elements 83 and 85 held by the lens holding portions 80 and 81 to be moved is sent so that only a necessary lens group can be moved.

  In this case, even when power is supplied to the piezo element 10 using the guide shaft member 24 and the shaft member 23 described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a separate lens holding unit can be driven by a single drive circuit. For example, when it is necessary to move a plurality of lens holding portions by zooming, if a drive current having a resonance frequency corresponding to the piezo element 10 accommodated in each lens holding portion is sent in a time-sharing manner, rapid zooming can be performed. Is possible.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of a piezo element drive control circuit for performing such control. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 92 denotes a lens holding portion position sensor for detecting the current position of each lens holding portion, and 93 denotes a zooming instruction button. An instruction signal for the telephoto side and the wide-angle side is issued. Reference numeral 94 denotes a focal length calculation unit for autofocus. When an imaging instruction is sent to the camera module, an instruction for focusing is sent to the control unit 96. A resonance frequency storage unit 95 stores the resonance frequencies of the piezo elements 83 and 85 accommodated in the lens holding units 80 and 81. A control unit 96 controls the entire camera module. When performing zooming or focusing, The resonance frequency signals corresponding to the piezo elements 83 and 85 accommodated in the lens holding portions 80 and 81 are sent to the piezo element driver 97. Reference numerals 83, 85,... Denote piezoelectric elements 83, 85 accommodated in the lens holding portions 80, 81. As described above, in the piezo element drive control circuit of the embodiment, the drive current sent from the piezo element driver 97 is sent to all the piezo elements 83, 85,.

  The operation of the piezo element drive control circuit shown in FIG. 16 will be described. When the camera module is turned on and an imaging instruction is sent, the current positions of the lens holding units 80 and 81 from the lens holding unit position sensor 92 are described. Is sent to the control unit 96. When the telephoto side or the wide angle side of the zoom instruction button 93 is pressed, the signal is also sent to the control unit 96, and the control unit 96 refers to the signal from the lens holding unit position sensor 92 to determine which lens holding unit 80, 81. Calculate how much should be moved.

  Then, the resonance frequencies of the piezo elements 83 and 85 housed in the lens holding units 80 and 81 to be moved are read from the resonance frequency storage unit 95, and the plurality of lens holding units 80 and 81 are moved accordingly. Obtain the resonance frequency. Then, the order in which the lens holding units 80 and 81 are moved is determined, and when the lens holding units 80 and 81 are moved separately, a signal having a resonance frequency corresponding to the piezo element of the lens holding unit to be moved is generated and sent to the piezo element driver 97. When moving a plurality of lens holding portions, the order of movement is determined, and signals of frequencies corresponding to the respective piezoelectric elements are sent to the piezoelectric element driver 97 in a time-sharing manner so that they do not buffer each other.

  Then, the piezo element driver 97 generates a drive current for the piezo element with the transmitted frequency signal, and sends it to the signal line connected to the piezo elements 83, 85,. Then, the piezo elements 83, 85,... Housed in the respective lens holding portions are driven only when a drive current having a resonance frequency that matches them is sent, and the lens holding portions 80, 81 are brought into predetermined positions. Moved. When focusing with the autofocus function, the piezo elements 81, 82,... Housed in the necessary lens holding unit are driven in accordance with the focusing operation instructed by the focal length calculation unit 94.

  By configuring the drive control circuit of the piezo element in this way, it is not necessary to wire each piezo element directly with a flexible substrate as described above, and a separate piezo element can be driven with a single drive control circuit. Therefore, the camera module can be made small and lightweight.

  In the above description, the resonance frequency corresponding to each piezoelectric element has been described to be driven at different times. However, the plurality of resonance frequencies are superimposed and separated by a filter means to each piezoelectric element. You may send it. In this case, a filter means is provided in the piezo element or the lens holding unit, the drive signal of the plurality of frequencies is superimposed by the control unit 96 shown in FIG. 16, and an electric signal is sent out by the piezo element driver 97. It is only necessary to extract and operate only a drive signal having a frequency necessary for driving each piezo element by a piezo element or filter means provided in the lens holding portion.

  FIG. 17 is an example of a portable terminal in which the camera module 1 described above is incorporated. The mobile terminal shown in FIG. 17 shows a case of a mobile phone 50 as an example. In the figure, 51 is an operation unit (operation member), 52 is a display (display member), and FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the operation unit (operation member) 51 and the display (display member) 52 visible (open state). In the illustrated mobile phone 50, a first case portion 53 on which an operation portion 51 is mounted and a second case portion 54 on which a display 52 is mounted are connected by a hinge mechanism 55, and the first and first case portions are connected. The two case portions 53 and 54 are rotatable around the hinge mechanism 55. In addition, the 1st and 2nd case parts 53 and 54 comprise a case body.

  The second case 54 incorporates the above-described camera module 1 as shown by a broken double circle in the figure, and when a predetermined button of the operation unit 51 is operated, the camera module 1 takes an image, The captured image is displayed on the display 52, for example. Note that the upper side of the camera module 1 shown in FIG. 1 is directed to the outside of the second case portion 54. That is, the second case portion 54 is formed with an opening that exposes the first lens group 2 held by the third lens holding portion 20 in the camera module 1. A battery unit, a communication unit, and the like are accommodated in the case unit 53, and the thickness dimension of the second case unit 54 is substantially regulated by the height of the camera module 1.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a small and lightweight camera module incorporating an autofocus (AF) function and a zoom function, and a portable terminal equipped with the camera module. .

  A camera module incorporating an autofocus (AF) function and a zoom function can be configured to be small and lightweight, and is optimal as a camera module in various small portable terminals.

2A and 2B are perspective views of the camera module of the embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where the focal length changing lens is on the telephoto (tele) side, and FIG. 2B shows a state where the focal length changing lens is also on the wide angle (wide) side. Show. The first lens holding section for holding the third lens group is removed by removing the third lens holding section for holding the first lens group on the subject side and the second lens holding section for holding the second lens group in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of a mechanism for moving a shaft member, a guide shaft member, and a second lens holding part for moving the first lens holding part up and down. It is a top view of the 3rd lens holding part. FIG. 5A is a view of the holding portion of the piezo element in the third lens holding portion as viewed from the outside of the camera module, and FIG. 8B is a view as viewed from the lens side. It is the perspective view which showed the latch mechanism for the movement and fixation of the lens group which changes the focal distance in the camera module of embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the mechanism which changes the focal distance in the camera module of embodiment, and the lens movement state at the time of autofocus. In the camera module of the embodiment, the lens constituting the optical system is on the wide angle (wide) side (A) and on the telephoto (tele) side (B), and on the telephoto (tele) side and wide angle (wide) side It is a figure (C) for demonstrating the movement range of the lens for a focusing. FIG. 3 is a perspective view (A) of a piezo element used in the camera module according to the embodiment, a diagram (B) for explaining the configuration of the piezo element, and a figure (C) for explaining the operating principle. It is a top view of the modification in the 1st lens holding part. It is the perspective view which showed the other Example which moves the lens holding | maintenance part for focal length changes. It is a perspective view which shows Example 2 of the camera module which becomes embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a lens holding unit configured to be able to move up and down while holding a lens and a piezoelectric element in Example 2. A plan view (A) in another embodiment of a lens holding portion configured to hold the lens and the piezoelectric element so as to be movable up and down, a side view (B) viewed from the piezoelectric element side, and a guide shaft of the lens holding portion They are the side view (C) and perspective view (D) of the roller which contact | abut. It is the figure which showed the Example for taking the drive current of a piezo element from the shaft member in the camera module of Example 3. FIG. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a camera module according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a piezoelectric element portion. It is an example of the control circuit which drives the several piezoelectric element from which a movable resonance frequency differs. It is a figure which shows roughly an example of the mobile telephone with which the camera module of embodiment was incorporated.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera module 2 1st lens group 3 2nd lens group 4 3rd lens group 5 Image pick-up element 80 The 1st lens holding | maintenance part 81 holding the 3rd lens group 4 The 2nd lens group 3 is hold | maintained Second lens holding portion 82 Third lens holding portion 83 holding the first lens group 2 First piezo element 84 Actuating portion 85 Second piezo element 86 Actuating portion 87 Shaft members 88 and 89 Guide shaft members 90 and 91 Energizing member 92 Lens holding unit position sensor 93 Zooming instruction button 94 Focal length calculation unit 95 for autofocus Resonance frequency storage unit 96 Control unit 97 Piezo element driver

Claims (7)

First and second lens holding units for holding at least one or more optical lenses;
A shaft member disposed substantially parallel to the optical axis;
A first piezo element that has an operating part that contacts the shaft member and that can be driven by a signal of a first frequency housed in the first lens holding part;
A second piezo element that has an operating part that contacts the shaft member and that can be driven by a signal of a second frequency housed in the second lens holding part;
A camera module comprising: a common signal supply member that supplies the first frequency signal to the first piezo element and supplies the second frequency signal to the second piezo element. .   The camera module according to claim 1, further comprising a first signal supply unit capable of selectively supplying the signal of the first frequency and the signal of the second frequency to the signal supply member. Second signal supply means capable of superimposing and supplying the first frequency signal and the second frequency signal to the signal supply member;
First filter means for obtaining a signal of the first frequency from a signal supplied from the signal supply member;
A second filter means for obtaining a signal of the second frequency from a signal supplied from the signal supply member;
2. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein an output of the first filter means is supplied to the first piezo element and an output of the second filter means is supplied to the second piezo element. . The shaft member is the signal supply member,
The said lens holding | maintenance part is provided with the sliding member which contacts the said shaft member so that sliding is possible, The said signal is supplied through the said sliding member, The Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The camera module.   5. The camera module according to claim 4, wherein the sliding member surrounds the shaft member and urges the piezoelectric element to contact the shaft member. 6. A guide shaft member for guiding the lens holding portion;
The guide shaft member is the signal supply member;
The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the lens holding portion includes a bearing portion that contacts the guide shaft member, and supplies the signal through the bearing portion. First and second lens holding units for holding at least one or more optical lenses;
A shaft member disposed substantially parallel to the optical axis;
A first piezo element that has an operating part that contacts the shaft member and that can be driven by a first frequency signal housed in the first lens holding part;
A second piezo element that has an operating part that contacts the shaft member and that can be driven by a signal of a second frequency housed in the second lens holding part;
A common signal supply member for supplying the first frequency signal to the first piezo element and supplying the second frequency signal to the second piezo element;
An operation member, a display member, a battery, a communication unit,
A portable terminal comprising: a housing that houses the camera module, the display member, the battery, and the communication unit, and that has a thickness limited to approximately the height of the camera module.

Images