JP2006163354A - Lens barrel driving device, lens driving module and camera module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera module capable of restraining magnetic interference between adjacent stepping motors while securing space around a lens barrel. <P>SOLUTION: A focus actuator 41 and a zoom actuator 71 for operating the lens barrel 12 capable of focusing and zooming are mounted on one surface of a base 32 on which the lens barrel 12 is mounted. The respective actuators 41 and 71 are equipped with the stepping motors 42 and 72 and reduction gear trains (transmission mechanisms) 43 and 73 interlocking the lens barrel 12 with the motors. The respective actuators 41 and 71 are constituted so that their height may be lower than the height of the lens barrel 12 with the one surface of the base 32 as reference. The actuators 41 and 71 are developed and arranged along the one surface of the base 32 separately in the periphery direction of the lens barrel 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens barrel driving device mounted on a portable electronic device such as a card-type digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone, and used for focusing or zooming of a lens barrel, and a camera module including the device. About.

  The present invention also includes a lens driving module mounted on a portable electronic device such as a card-type digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone, and used for focusing or zooming of a lens group, and the lens driving module. Relates to the camera module.

  Conventionally, a plurality of actuators for exercising the focusing function, zooming function, iris function, etc. of the lens barrel are provided. A lens barrel and a camera having a configuration that can be arranged so as to fit in a corner portion of the camera so that a plurality of actuators and a lens barrel are provided in an L shape in a plan view by arranging them in a direction along (For example, see Patent Document 1).

Although the configuration of each actuator is not mentioned in Patent Document 1, each actuator shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of Patent Document 1 has a cylindrical shape, and thus each actuator is generally used conventionally. It can be determined that the cylindrical stepping motor is used as the drive source. These cylindrical actuators are arranged in parallel to the optical axis direction of the lens barrel, and some of the actuators have substantially the same length as the lens barrel, and other actuators It protrudes in the optical axis direction from one end surface of the lens barrel.
Japanese Patent No. 3352295 (paragraphs 0012-0017 and FIGS. 1-7)

  As described above, in the configuration of Patent Document 1 in which a plurality of columnar actuators are arranged around the lens barrel, the length of each columnar actuator extending in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel is the lens barrel (lens barrel drive). The thickness of the entire lens barrel (lens barrel drive device) must be increased by a part of the actuator protruding from one end surface of the lens barrel. Space cannot be secured around the tube.

  Also, in general, the rotor of the cylindrical stepping motor provided in each cylindrical actuator is magnetized in multiple poles, and the cylindrical stator that accommodates this rotor inside faces from the inner peripheral surface toward the rotor. It has a large number of protruding magnetic poles, and an exciting coil is wound around each of these magnetic poles. This configuration of the cylindrical stepping motor is advantageous in that it can be magnetically shielded by a motor case containing a stator or the like. However, since the relationship of disposing the rotor in the cylindrical stator cannot be broken, there is no flexibility in the shape of the stepping motor. Accordingly, since there is no degree of freedom in designing the shape of the lens barrel (lens barrel driving device) provided with the cylindrical stepping motor, the lens barrel (lens barrel driving device) of the cited document 1 is, for example, a thin portable electronic device. It is not morphologically suitable for installation in a limited installation space.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel drive device and a camera module that can suppress magnetic interference between adjacent stepping motors while securing a space around the lens barrel.

  In order to solve the above problems, a lens barrel driving device according to the present invention is a lens barrel driving device in which a plurality of actuators that individually exhibit a plurality of lens functions of a lens barrel are provided on one surface of the base. The actuator includes a stepping motor and a transmission mechanism for interlocking the lens barrel to the motor, and the height of the actuator is lower than the height of the lens barrel with respect to the one surface, and each actuator is The lens barrel is deployed and arranged along one surface of the base so as to be separated from each other around a lens barrel arrangement portion where the lens barrel is arranged.

  In the present invention and the following invention, the plurality of lens functions refers to at least two of, for example, a focusing function for adjusting a focus, a zooming function for gradually expanding and reducing an image, and an iris function for adjusting an aperture. . In this invention and the following invention, the deployment of each actuator along one surface of the base means that at least a part of each actuator is arranged so as not to overlap in the thickness direction. In this case, the lens barrel arrangement part in which the lens barrel is arranged may be provided in a symmetrical arrangement, or two actuators may be provided centering on the lens barrel arrangement part in which the lens barrel is arranged. The case where it is provided in a right-angled arrangement is also included.

  In the present invention, the plurality of actuators formed lower than the protruding height of the lens barrel with respect to the base are deployed along one surface of the base and separated in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel arranging portion where the lens barrel is arranged. A space corresponding to the difference between the thickness of the actuator and the protruding height of the lens barrel with respect to the base can be secured around the cylinder. At the same time, a plurality of actuators provided with stepping motors are separated by a lens barrel, and magnetic interference between stepping motors of adjacent actuators can be suppressed using the lens barrel.

  In order to solve the above problems, the lens barrel driving device of the present invention includes a base, a stepping motor, and a transmission mechanism that interlocks the motor barrel with a focusing function and a zooming function, and is thinner than the lens barrel. A focus actuator provided on one surface of the base, a stepping motor and a zoom actuator provided on the one surface, provided with a transmission mechanism for interlocking the lens barrel with the motor, and formed on the one surface; The focus actuator and the zoom actuator are deployed and arranged along one surface of the base so as to be separated from each other around a lens barrel arrangement portion where the lens barrel is arranged.

  In this invention, the focus actuator and the zoom actuator formed lower than the protruding height of the lens barrel with respect to the base are deployed along one surface of the base and separated from each other around the lens barrel arrangement portion where the lens barrel is arranged. A space corresponding to the difference between the thickness of the focus actuator and the zoom actuator and the protrusion height of the lens barrel with respect to the base can be secured around the lens barrel. At the same time, since the focus actuator provided with the stepping motor and the zoom actuator are separated by the lens barrel, the magnetic interference between the stepping motors of the adjacent actuators can be suppressed using the lens barrel.

  In a preferred form of the lens barrel drive device of the present invention, the stepping motors provided in the focus actuator and the zoom actuator are arranged symmetrically with the lens barrel arrangement portion in between. In the form of the present invention and the form of the following invention, the symmetrical arrangement means an arrangement that is substantially line symmetric with respect to the diametrical line that can be drawn through the optical axis of the lens barrel, or the optical axis. It refers to an arrangement that is generally point-symmetric as the origin. In this preferred embodiment, the rotors of the stepping motors of the focus actuator and the zoom actuator can be separated from the diameter of the lens barrel, which is preferable in that magnetic interference between the stepping motors of the focus actuator and the zoom actuator can be further suppressed.

  In a preferred embodiment of the lens barrel drive device of the present invention, a lens barrel passing portion is provided in a cover in which the actuators are assembled with the base. In this preferred embodiment, when mounting the lens barrel drive device of the present invention on a portable electronic device or the like, when the components are arranged in the space around the lens barrel to increase the density of the component arrangement, they are arranged in the space. This is preferable in that the cover can prevent mechanical interference between the component and the actuator, and a single cover over a plurality of actuators can be used by passing the lens barrel through the lens barrel passing portion.

  In a preferred embodiment of the lens barrel drive device of the present invention, the stepping motor has an iron core integrally provided with a yoke connecting portion at an end of the core portion and an exciting coil wound around the core portion. A coil block disposed along one surface, a magnetic path portion other than an end connected to the yoke connecting portion is provided without overlapping the coil block, and a yoke having a rotor through hole in the magnetic path portion, And a rotor disposed in the rotor through hole.

  In the stepping motor in this preferred form, the exciting coil that generates magnetic flux by excitation and the rotor through-hole in which the rotor is arranged are displaced along one surface of the base, and the magnetic flux generated by applying the drive pulse (excitation) The rotor is rotated by guiding the rotor to the rotor through hole. This stepping motor is not a cylindrical type, but a yoke provided with a coil block having an exciting coil arranged along a base and a magnetic path portion other than the end connected to the block without overlapping the coil block. And a rotor disposed in the rotor through-hole of the yoke, it can be formed in a flat shape. As a result, the actuator is compared with the actuator using the cylindrical stepping motor arranged along the optical axis direction of the lens barrel, although the axis of the rotor is parallel to the optical axis of the lens barrel. This is preferable in that it is suitable for securing a space around the lens barrel.

  In a preferred form of the lens barrel drive device of the present invention, the rotor and the transmission mechanism are arranged so as to be shifted along the one surface with respect to the coil block. In this preferred form, it is possible to dispose the rotor and the transmission mechanism between the coil block and the lens barrel. In this case, the amount of use of the yoke is small and the whole lens barrel drive device can be made light.

  In a preferred embodiment of the lens barrel driving device of the present invention, the transmission mechanism is composed of a reduction gear train, and the gear shaft of the gear train is arranged in the projection region of the stepping motor. In a preferred form of the lens barrel drive device of the present invention, the magnetic path portion has a shaft passing portion formed of a through hole or a notch, and the gear shaft is passed through the shaft passing portion. In a preferred form of the lens barrel drive device of the present invention, a gap is formed between the magnetic path portion and the coil block, and the gear shaft is passed through the gap.

  According to these embodiments, since at least a part of the gear fixed to the gear shaft arranged in the projection area is arranged to overlap the stepping motor, it is necessary between the stepping motor and the lens barrel. The space for disposing the gears can be reduced, and the lens barrel driving device can be made smaller accordingly.

  In order to solve the above problems, the camera module of the present invention is a camera module in which a plurality of actuators for individually performing a plurality of lens functions of a lens barrel are provided on one surface of a base, Is provided with a stepping motor and a transmission mechanism for interlocking the lens barrel to the motor, and the height of these actuators is formed lower than the height of the lens barrel with respect to the one surface, They are deployed and arranged along one surface of the base so as to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel.

  In this invention, the plurality of actuators formed lower than the protruding height of the lens barrel with respect to the base are deployed and arranged along one surface of the base and separated in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel. A space corresponding to the difference between the protruding height of the lens barrel relative to the base can be secured. At the same time, a plurality of actuators provided with stepping motors are separated by a lens barrel, and magnetic interference between stepping motors of adjacent actuators can be suppressed using the lens barrel.

  In order to solve the above problems, a camera module of the present invention includes a base, a lens barrel having a focusing function and a zooming function, a stepping motor, and a transmission mechanism for interlocking the lens barrel with the motor. The focus actuator is formed thinner than the lens barrel, provided with a focus actuator provided on one surface of the base, a stepping motor, and a transmission mechanism for interlocking the lens barrel with the motor, and formed thinner than the lens barrel and provided on the one surface. A zoom actuator, and the focus actuator and the zoom actuator are deployed and arranged along one surface of the base apart in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel.

  In the present invention, the focus actuator and zoom actuator formed lower than the protruding height of the lens barrel with respect to the base are deployed and arranged along one surface of the base and separated in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel. In addition, a space corresponding to the difference between the thickness of the zoom actuator and the protrusion height of the lens barrel with respect to the base can be secured. At the same time, since the focus actuator provided with the stepping motor and the zoom actuator are separated by the lens barrel, the magnetic interference between the stepping motors of the adjacent actuators can be suppressed using the lens barrel.

  In a preferred embodiment of the camera module of the present invention, the stepping motors provided in the focus actuator and the zoom actuator are arranged symmetrically with the lens barrel interposed therebetween. In this preferred embodiment, the rotors of the stepping motors of the focus actuator and the zoom actuator can be separated from the diameter of the lens barrel, which is preferable in that magnetic interference between the stepping motors of the focus actuator and the zoom actuator can be further suppressed.

  In a preferred embodiment of the camera module of the present invention, a lens barrel passing portion is provided in a cover in which the actuators are assembled with the base. In this preferred embodiment, when the camera module of the present invention is mounted on a portable electronic device or the like, when the components are arranged in the space around the lens barrel to increase the density of the component arrangement, the components are arranged in the space. It is preferable that the cover can prevent mechanical interference between the actuator and the actuator, and a single cover over a plurality of actuators can be used by passing the lens barrel through the lens barrel passing portion.

  In a preferred embodiment of the camera module according to the present invention, the stepping motor has an iron core integrally provided with a yoke connecting portion at an end of the core portion and an exciting coil wound around the core portion. A coil block arranged along the yoke block, a magnetic path portion other than the end connected to the yoke connecting portion is provided without overlapping the coil block, the yoke having a rotor through hole in the magnetic path portion, and the A rotor disposed in the rotor through hole is provided.

  In the stepping motor in this preferred form, the exciting coil that generates magnetic flux by excitation and the rotor through-hole in which the rotor is arranged are displaced along one surface of the base, and the magnetic flux generated by applying the drive pulse (excitation) The rotor is rotated by guiding the rotor to the rotor through hole. This stepping motor is not a cylindrical type, but a yoke provided with a coil block having an exciting coil arranged along a base and a magnetic path portion other than the end connected to the block without overlapping the coil block. And a rotor disposed in the rotor through-hole of the yoke, it can be formed in a flat shape. As a result, the actuator is compared with the actuator using the cylindrical stepping motor arranged along the optical axis direction of the lens barrel, although the axis of the rotor is parallel to the optical axis of the lens barrel. This is preferable in that it is suitable for securing a space around the lens barrel.

  In a preferred embodiment of the camera module of the present invention, the rotor and the transmission mechanism are arranged between the coil block and the lens barrel. This preferred form is preferable in that the amount of use of the yoke is small and the entire camera module can be reduced in weight.

  In a preferred embodiment of the camera module of the present invention, the transmission mechanism is composed of a reduction gear train, and the gear shaft of the gear train is disposed in the projection region of the stepping motor. In a preferred form of the camera module according to the present invention, the magnetic path portion has a shaft passing portion formed of a through hole or a notch, and the gear shaft is passed through the shaft passing portion. In a preferred embodiment of the camera module of the present invention, a gap is formed between the magnetic path portion and the coil block, and the gear shaft is passed through the gap.

  According to these embodiments, since at least a part of the gear fixed to the gear shaft arranged in the projection area is arranged to overlap the stepping motor, it is necessary between the stepping motor and the lens barrel. The space for disposing the gears can be reduced, and the camera module can be downsized accordingly.

  In a preferred embodiment of the lens barrel drive device of the present invention, a plurality of fixing screw through holes are provided at the rear end of the lens barrel and a guide pin to which the sensor substrate is fitted is provided. Is inserted into the unit body, and the sensor board and the lens barrel are tightened together by inserting a fixing screw from the sensor board side with the sensor board fitted to the guide pin and passing through the fixing screw through hole. It is fixed to.

  In this form, since it is not necessary to provide a fixing | fixed part in the lens barrel of the rotating side, it can suppress that the whole module is enlarged.

  A preferred embodiment of the camera module of the present invention is characterized in that an imaging element is provided in the lens barrel driving device.

  The lens driving module of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes at least two lens groups, at least one stepping motor formed with a width narrower than the movable range of the lens groups, and at least one lens group. And a gear train that transmits the output of the stepping motor to the feed screw shaft.

  In a preferred embodiment of the lens driving module according to the present invention, the stepping motor has an iron core integrally provided with the yoke connecting portion at the end of the core portion and an exciting coil wound around the core portion along one surface of the base. The coil block is arranged, a yoke having a rotor through hole in the magnetic path portion, and a rotor arranged in the rotor through hole and having an output portion formed.

  Furthermore, a preferred form of the lens driving module of the present invention is a position detection means for detecting the position of the lens group, a rotation restricting means for allowing only the reciprocation of the lens group, and the lens group in one direction along the optical axis. Biasing means for biasing.

  According to these embodiments, an actuator formed lower than the moving range of the lens group relative to the base is deployed along one surface of the base and provided around the lens group, and the lens group is reciprocated in the optical axis direction. Since the feed screw shaft is provided, a space corresponding to the difference between the thickness of the actuator and the height of the moving range of the lens group relative to the base can be secured around the moving range of the lens group, and the radial direction of the lens group The space in can be secured.

  A preferred embodiment of the camera module of the present invention is characterized in that the lens driving module described above includes an imaging device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the lens barrel drive device and camera module which can suppress the magnetic interference of adjacent stepping motors can be provided, ensuring a space around a lens barrel.

  Further, according to the present invention, even when the lens group (barrel) is moved using a feed screw, the lens driving module and the camera module that can reduce the planar space of the entire module are obtained.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Reference numeral 11 in FIGS. 1 and 7 denotes a camera module. The camera module 11 is mounted on a printed wiring board in a body of a thin portable electronic device such as a card-type digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone. The camera module 11 includes a lens barrel 12, a lens barrel driving device 13, a circuit block 14, a sensor 15 that forms a detection unit, and an image sensor 16.

  The lens barrel 12 incorporates the focus lens 23 and the zoom lens 24 shown in FIG. 7 in the exterior tube 22 that supports the fixed lens 21 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, and the lens driving mechanism shown in FIG. 25, 26. One lens driving mechanism 25 has a first lens function, for example, a focusing function together with the focus lens 23, and has a focus ring 25 a (see FIGS. 3 and 5) that can rotate a predetermined angle of the lens barrel 12. . The focus ring 25a is formed with meshing teeth 25b (see FIG. 2) extending in the circumferential direction over a predetermined range of the outer periphery thereof. The focus lens 23 is moved in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel 12 by the rotation of the focus ring 25a, and focusing (focusing operation) is performed.

  The other lens driving mechanism 26 has a second lens function such as a zooming function together with the zoom lens 24, and has a zoom ring 26a (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that can rotate the lens barrel 12 by a predetermined angle. . The zoom ring 26a is formed with meshing teeth 26b (see FIG. 2) extending in the circumferential direction over a predetermined range of the outer periphery thereof. Zooming is performed by moving the zoom lens 24 in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel 12 by the rotation of the zoom ring 26a. The meshing teeth 25b and 26b are provided so as to protrude from the end opposite to the one end of the outer tube 22 to which the fixed lens 21 is fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the lens barrel driving device 13 is formed by incorporating a focus actuator 41 for driving the lens barrel 12 and a zoom actuator 71 in a casing 31.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the casing 31 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape (including a cubic shape) by connecting a base 32 and a cover 33, and a mirror having a circular through-hole at the center of the cover 33, for example. A tube passing portion 34 is provided. The lens barrel drive device 13 including the rectangular parallelepiped casing 31 is excellent in that the side surface of the casing 31 can be used for positioning when the camera module 11 is arranged at a predetermined position.

  The lens barrel 12, which is passed through the lens barrel insertion portion 34 and protrudes from the casing 31 to the most part, supports the outer cylinder 22 on the edge of the lens barrel insertion portion 34 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. At the same time, it is fixed to the casing 31 by being fastened to the base 32 with screws 36 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the lens barrel support portion 35 in the shape of a ring of the lens barrel passing portion 34 and the base 32 and the periphery thereof are used as a lens barrel arrangement portion. The lens barrel support 35 that forms part of the base 32 is fixed to the base 32 together with the lens barrel 12.

  The focus actuator 41 and the zoom actuator 71 that are formed thinner than the lens barrel 12 in the configuration described later are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel 12 and along one surface of the base 32 (the surface facing the cover 33) as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, as a preferred example, the lens barrels 12 are arranged in a symmetrical manner. A space S based on the difference between the thickness and the height of the lens barrel 12 is disposed around the lens barrel 12 protruding higher than the thickness (height) of the focus actuator 41 and the zoom actuator 71 with respect to the base 32 (FIG. 1). Reference) is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the focus actuator 41 includes a stepping motor 42 and a transmission mechanism, for example, a reduction gear train 43, and uses a base 32 and a cover 33 as gear supports. Between the two.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 8, the stepping motor 42 is a two-pole motor having a step angle of 180 °, for example, and includes a coil block 44, a yoke 45, and a rotor 46. The coil block 44 and the yoke 45 form a stator.

  The coil block 44 has an iron core 47 and an excitation coil 48. The iron core 47 is integrally formed with yoke connecting portions 47b and 47c at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the core portion 47a. As a preferred example, the pair of coil blocks 44 are provided so that the rotational speed when the rotor 46 is rotated forward and when the rotor 46 is rotated backward is the same. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the yoke connecting portions 47c are shared in order to integrate these coil blocks 44, the yoke connecting portions 47b are respectively provided on both sides of the connecting portions 47c via the core portions 47a. Yes. The exciting coils 48 are respectively wound around the core portion 47a.

  The yoke 45 that guides the magnetic flux generated by the excitation of the exciting coil 48 is flat and has end portions 45b and 45c connected to the yoke connecting portions 47b and 47c. The pair of end portions 45b are respectively connected to the yoke connecting portion 47b, and the other one end portion 45c located between the pair of end portions 45b is connected to the yoke connecting portion 47c. The magnetic path portion 45 a excluding the end portions 45 b and 45 c of the yoke 45 protrudes to the side of the coil block 44 without overlapping the coil block 44. A rotor through hole 49 is formed in the magnetic path portion 45a.

  A gap 51 is formed between the magnetic path portion 45 a and the coil block 44. At least part of the side surface of the exciting coil 48 faces the gap 51. 2 and 8, reference numeral 52 indicates a recess in the magnetic path portion 45 a provided around the rotor through hole 49. Between the recess 52 and the rotor through-hole 49 and between the air gap 51 and the rotor through-hole 49, the magnetic path cross-sectional area is minimal, and magnetic saturation is very easily performed. For this reason, the inner peripheral surface of the rotor through-hole 49 is substantially divided at a portion where the magnetic path cross-sectional area is minimal. Each of the divided areas functions as a magnetic pole tip, and an S pole or an N pole appears at the magnetic pole tip each time a drive pulse is applied to the exciting coil 48.

  A rotor 46 is disposed in the rotor through hole 49. The outer peripheral portion of the rotor 46 is magnetized with different polarities for each predetermined region adjacent in the circumferential direction. Therefore, every time a drive pulse is applied to the excitation coil 48 via a motor driver 102 (see FIG. 7) described later, the stepping motor 42 is caused by the magnetic action between the magnetic pole end and the magnetic pole of the rotor 46. It is rotated with a step angle of 180 °. A driving gear 53 is connected to or integrally formed with the rotor 46. Both end portions of the rotation shaft 54 of the rotor 46 are rotatably supported by the base 32 and the cover 33.

  The stepping motor 42 is disposed along the edge of the base 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the coil block 44 is arranged along one longitudinal edge 32 a of the base 32. The stepping motor 42 arranged in this manner is fixed to the base 32 via a screw 55 shown in FIG. In this case, the screw 55 is screwed through the yoke connecting portion 47b and the end portion 45b of the yoke 45 connected thereto. The yoke 45 of the fixed stepping motor 42 is along one surface of the base 32. The optical axis of the lens barrel 12 is parallel to the axis of the rotor 46 of the stepping motor 42 arranged on one side of the lens barrel 12 as described above.

  Reference numeral 58 in FIGS. 2 and 6 denotes a focus origin protrusion that protrudes integrally with the outer peripheral surface of the focus ring 25a. The sensor 15 is attached to a part of the outer peripheral side of the lens barrel support plate 35. The sensor 15 uses a photo interrupter or the like that detects the origin protrusion 58. The sensor 15 and the origin protrusion 58 form origin detection means for detecting the origin position which is the reference for this operation every time the in-focus operation is performed, and the in-focus operation is performed based on the detected origin. It is like that.

  The focus lens driving mechanism 25 and the lens barrel 12 are connected via a reduction gear train 43 disposed on one surface of the base 32. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reduction gear train 43 has a plurality of, for example, first to fourth reduction gears (transmission gears) 61 to 64 made of spur gears.

  The first reduction gear 61 has a transmission gear 61a having a larger diameter than the drive gear 53 of the rotor 46 and meshed with the drive gear 53, and a transmission gear 61b having a smaller diameter than the transmission gear 61a and rotated integrally with the transmission gear 61a. And have. The gear shaft of the first reduction gear 61 is rotatably supported at both ends by the base 32 and the cover 33. The second reduction gear 62 has a transmission gear 62a having a larger diameter than the transmission gear 61b and meshed with the transmission gear 61b, and a transmission gear 62b having a smaller diameter than the transmission gear 62a and rotated integrally with the transmission gear 62a. is doing. The gear shaft of the second reduction gear 62 is rotatably supported by the base 32 and the cover 33 at both ends.

  The third reduction gear 63 has a transmission gear 63a having a larger diameter than the transmission gear 62b and meshed with the transmission gear 62b, and a transmission gear 63b having a smaller diameter than the transmission gear 63a and rotated integrally with the transmission gear 63a. is doing. The gear shaft of the third reduction gear 63 is supported at both ends by the base 32 and the cover 33 so as to be rotatable. The fourth reduction gear 64 has a larger diameter than the transmission gear 63 b and is engaged with the transmission gear 63 b, and the gear shaft is rotatably supported by the base 32 and the cover 33 at both ends. The final fourth reduction gear 64 is used as a focus ring drive wheel, and meshes with meshing teeth 25b of the focus ring 25a. Therefore, when the stepping motor 42 is driven and the rotor 46 is rotated forward or backward, the rotation is decelerated by the reduction gear train 43 and applied to the lens driving mechanism 25.

  Most of the rotor 46 and the reduction gear train 43 are displaced along the one surface of the base 32 with respect to the coil block 44 and are disposed between the coil block 44 and the lens barrel 12. As a result, the magnetic path portion 45a of the yoke 45 is arranged in a form corresponding to the space between the coil block 44 and the lens barrel 12, so that the amount of magnetic material forming the yoke 45 can be reduced and the weight can be reduced. Cost can be reduced.

  A part of the reduction gear train 43, specifically, the first reduction gear 61 and the second reduction gear 62 are arranged in the projection region of the stepping motor 42. In order to realize this arrangement, the gear shaft of the first reduction gear 61 is passed through the gap 51, and the gear shaft of the second reduction gear 62 is inserted into a shaft through portion provided in the yoke 45, for example, through hole 45 d. Has been passed. The shaft-passing portion can be formed by notching instead of the through-hole 45d. As a result, the reduction gear train 43 is arranged so as to overlap the stepping motor 42, so that it is possible to reduce the required gear arrangement space between the stepping motor 42 and the lens barrel 12, and to that extent, the lens barrel driving device. It is possible to make 13 small.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the zoom actuator 71 includes a stepping motor 72 and a transmission mechanism, for example, a reduction gear train 73, and uses the base 32 and the cover 33 as a support. It is arranged in between. As the stepping motor 72 of the zoom actuator 71, at least the same motor as the stepping motor 42 of the focus actuator 41 is used, and parts are shared. Moreover, in the case of the present embodiment, the reduction gear train 73 uses the same gear train as the reduction gear train 43 of the focus actuator 41, so that parts are shared.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the stepping motor 72 is a two-pole motor having a step angle of 180 °, for example, and includes a coil block 74, a yoke 75, and a rotor 76. The coil block 74 and the yoke 75 form a stator.

  The coil block 74 has an iron core 77 and an excitation coil 78. The iron core 77 is integrally formed with yoke connecting portions 77b and 77c at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the core portion 77a. As a preferred example, the pair of coil blocks 74 are provided so that the rotation speed when the rotor 76 is rotated forward and when the rotor 76 is rotated backward is the same. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the yoke connecting portions 77c are shared to integrate these coil blocks 74, the yoke connecting portions 77b are provided on both sides of the connecting portions 77c via the core portions 77a. Yes. The exciting coils 78 are wound around the core portion 77a.

The yoke 75 for guiding the magnetic flux generated by the excitation of the exciting coil 78 has a flat plate shape and has end portions 75b and 75c connected to the yoke connecting portions 77b and 77c. The pair of end portions 75b are respectively connected to the yoke connecting portion 77b, and the other end portion 75c located between the pair of end portions 75b is connected to the yoke connecting portion 77c. Ends 75b and 7 of the yoke 75
The magnetic path portion 75 a excluding 5 c protrudes to the side of the coil block 74 without overlapping the coil block 74. A rotor through hole 79 is formed in the magnetic path portion 75a.

  A gap 81 is formed between the magnetic path portion 75 a and the coil block 74. At least a part of the side surface of the exciting coil 78 faces the gap 81. 2 and 8, reference numeral 82 indicates a recess in the magnetic path portion 75 a provided around the rotor through-hole 79. Between the recess 82 and the rotor through-hole 79 and between the air gap 81 and the rotor through-hole 79, the magnetic path cross-sectional area is extremely small, and magnetic saturation is very easily performed. For this reason, the inner peripheral surface of the rotor through-hole 79 is substantially divided at a portion where the magnetic path cross-sectional area is minimal. Each of the divided areas functions as a magnetic pole tip, and an S pole or an N pole appears at the magnetic pole tip each time a drive pulse is applied to the exciting coil 78.

  A rotor 76 is disposed in the rotor through hole 79. The outer periphery of the rotor 76 is magnetized with different polarities for each predetermined region adjacent in the circumferential direction. Therefore, every time a driving pulse is applied to the exciting coil 78 via a motor driver 103 (see FIG. 7) described later, the stepping motor 72 is caused by the magnetic action between the magnetic pole end and the magnetic pole of the rotor 76. It is rotated with a step angle of 180 °. A driving gear 83 is connected to or integrally formed with the rotor 76. Both ends of the rotation shaft 84 of the rotor 76 are rotatably supported by the base 32 and the cover 33.

  The stepping motor 72 is disposed along the edge of the base 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the coil block 74 is disposed along the other end 32 b in the longitudinal direction of the base 32. The stepping motor 72 arranged in this manner is fixed to the base 32 via a screw 85 shown in FIG. In this case, the screw 85 is screwed through the yoke connecting portion 77b and the end portion 75b of the yoke 75 connected thereto. The yoke 75 of the fixed stepping motor 72 is along one surface of the base 32. The optical axis of the lens barrel 12 and the axis of the rotor 76 of the stepping motor 72 arranged as described above on the opposite side of the lens driving mechanism 25 with the lens barrel 12 in between are parallel to each other.

  The zoom lens driving mechanism 26 and the lens barrel 12 are connected via a reduction gear train 73 disposed on one surface of the base 32. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the reduction gear train 73 has a plurality of, for example, first to fourth reduction gears (transmission gears) 91 to 94 made of spur gears.

  The first reduction gear 91 has a transmission gear 91a larger in diameter than the drive gear 83 of the rotor 76 and meshed with the drive gear 83, and a transmission gear 91b smaller in diameter than the transmission gear 91a and rotated integrally with the transmission gear 91a. And have. A gear shaft of the first reduction gear 91 is rotatably supported by the base 32 and the cover 33 at both ends. The second reduction gear 92 has a transmission gear 92a having a larger diameter than the transmission gear 91b and meshed with the transmission gear 91b, and a transmission gear 92b having a smaller diameter than the transmission gear 92a and rotated integrally with the transmission gear 92a. is doing. The gear shaft of the second reduction gear 92 is supported at both ends by the base 32 and the cover 33 so as to be rotatable.

  The third reduction gear 93 has a transmission gear 93a having a larger diameter than the transmission gear 92b and meshed with the transmission gear 92b, and a transmission gear 93b having a smaller diameter than the transmission gear 93a and rotated integrally with the transmission gear 93a. is doing. The gear shaft of the third reduction gear 93 is supported at both ends by the base 32 and the cover 33 so as to be rotatable. The fourth reduction gear 94 has a larger diameter than the transmission gear 93 b and is meshed with the transmission gear 93 b, and the gear shaft is rotatably supported by the base 32 and the cover 33 at both ends. The final fourth reduction gear 94 is used as a zoom ring drive wheel, and meshes with the meshing teeth 26b of the zoom ring 26a. Therefore, when the stepping motor 72 is driven and the rotor 76 is rotated forward or backward, the rotation is decelerated by the reduction gear train 73 and is given to the lens driving mechanism 26.

  Most of the rotor 76 and the reduction gear train 73 are shifted along the one surface of the base 32 with respect to the coil block 74, and are arranged between the coil block 74 and the lens barrel 12. Thereby, since the magnetic path portion 75a of the yoke 75 is arranged in a form corresponding to the space between the coil block 74 and the lens barrel 12, the amount of the magnetic material forming the yoke 75 can be reduced and the weight can be reduced. Cost can be reduced.

  A part of the reduction gear train 73, specifically, the first reduction gear 91 and the second reduction gear 92 are arranged in the projection region of the stepping motor 72. In order to realize this arrangement, the gear shaft of the first reduction gear 91 is passed through the gap 81, and the gear shaft of the second reduction gear 92 is inserted into a shaft through portion provided in the yoke 75, for example, through hole 75 d. Has been passed. The shaft-passing portion can be formed by notching instead of the through-hole 75d. As a result, the reduction gear train 73 is disposed so as to overlap the stepping motor 72, so that it is possible to reduce the required gear arrangement space between the stepping motor 72 and the lens barrel 12, and to that extent, the lens barrel driving device. It is possible to make 13 small.

  As described above, the focus actuator 41 in which the coil block 44 is provided along the one end edge 32a in the longitudinal direction of the base 32, and the zoom in which the coil block 74 is provided along the other end edge 32b in the longitudinal direction of the base 32. The actuator 71 is deployed along the one surface of the base 32 so as to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel 12, and in detail, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical axis of the lens barrel 12 is interposed between the lens barrels 12. Are arranged symmetrically with a straight line passing through as a reference line.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the circuit block 14 includes a control unit 101, motor drivers 102 and 103, a signal processing unit 104, and the like. The control unit 101 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and is responsible for overall control of the lens barrel driving device 13 of the camera module 11 including controlling the operation of the image sensor 16. The motor driver 102 applies a necessary number of drive pulses to the stepping motor 42 when driving the focus actuator 41. Similarly, the motor driver 103 drives the stepping motor 72 when driving the zoom actuator 71. The number of drive pulses necessary for the above is applied. The signal processing unit 104 processes the image signal output from the image sensor 16 and supplies the processed image signal to the control unit 101. A semiconductor device such as a CCD or a CMOS is used for the image sensor 16. Note that reference numeral 105 in FIG. 7 denotes a display unit composed of an LCD or the like. The display unit 105 is provided in a portable electronic device in which the camera module 11 is incorporated, and displays image information captured by the image sensor 16, memory information of the memory, and the like.

  The code | symbol 106 in FIGS. 3-5 has shown the flexible printed wiring board. The flexible printed wiring board 106 is provided with a control unit 101 and a signal processing unit 104, and motor drivers 102 and 103 and an image sensor 16 are mounted. An intermediate portion of the flexible printed wiring board 106 is bonded and fixed to the back surface of the lens barrel support plate 35. Thereby, the wiring board portion located inside the lens barrel support plate 35 is held so as not to be shaken, and the image pickup device 16 is mounted on this portion so as to be positioned on the optical axis of the lens barrel 12. Yes. 3 and 4, reference numerals 107 and 108 denote attachments for electrically connecting the motor connection end portions 106 a and 106 b having the electrical contacts of the flexible printed wiring board 106 to the stepping motors 42 and 72, respectively. The screw is shown.

  As described above, the stepping motors 42 and 72 used in the lens barrel driving device 13 included in the camera module 11 are not cylindrical, and are coil blocks having excitation coils 48 and 78 arranged along one surface of the base 32. 44, 74 and yokes provided along the base 32 without overlapping the coil blocks 44, 74 with the magnetic path portions 45a, 75a other than the ends 45b, 45c or 75b, 75c connected to the coil blocks 44, 74. 45 and 75 and the rotors 46 and 76 disposed in the rotor through holes 49 and 79 of the yokes 45 and 75, respectively, can be configured flat. For this reason, the stepping motors 42 and 72 are not elements that increase the thickness of the lens barrel driving device 13 of the camera module 11. Moreover, since the exciting coils 48 and 78 of the stepping motors 42 and 72 are provided horizontally with their peripheral surfaces along the base 32, the core portions 47a and 77a of the exciting coils 48 and 78 are used to increase the magnetic flux. Even when the winding length is increased, it does not become a factor to increase the thickness of the stepping motors 42 and 72 and consequently the thickness of the lens barrel driving device 13.

  In addition, the stepping motors 42 and 72 and the lens barrel 12 driven through the reduction gear trains 43 and 73 driven by the power of the motors 42 and 72 are disposed on one surface of the base 32 in the longitudinal direction of the base 32. The reduction gear trains 43 and 73 are provided so as to be displaced from each other along the direction, and the rotors 46 and 76 and the lens driving mechanisms 25 and 26 are interlocked with each other. It is a planar arrangement provided between the two.

  Therefore, the lens barrel drive using the cylindrical stepping motor placed vertically so that the axis is parallel to the optical axis even though the optical axis of the lens barrel 12 and the axis of the rotors 46 and 76 are parallel to each other. Compared to the device, the entire thickness of the lens barrel drive device 13 can be reduced. In other words, the thickness of the focus actuator 41 and the zoom actuator 71 that drive the lens barrel 12 can be made much thinner than the height of the lens barrel 12 with respect to the base 32. Then, the focus actuator 41 and the zoom actuator 71 formed flat in this manner are arranged symmetrically with the lens barrel 12 as a preferable example, so that the base 32 is separated in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel 12. It is deployed along one side.

  Therefore, a space S corresponding to the difference between the thickness of the focus actuator 41 and the zoom actuator 71 and the protruding height of the lens barrel 12 with respect to the base 32 can be secured around the lens barrel 12 (see FIG. 1). Thereby, in the portable electronic device in which the camera module 11 is mounted, it is possible to contribute to further downsizing of the portable electronic device by arranging the components in the space around the lens barrel 12 and increasing the density of the component arrangement. . In this case, mechanical interference between the components arranged in the space S and the focus actuator 41 and the zoom actuator 71 can be prevented by the cover 33. In addition, since the cover 33 has the lens barrel passing portion 34 through which the lens barrel 12 passes, it is not necessary to prepare a cover for each of the focus actuator 41 and the zoom actuator 71, and a single cover 33 can be used. .

  In addition, as described above, the focus actuator 41 and the zoom actuator 71 are not provided with special magnetic shielding measures for their yokes 45 and 75 in order to reduce the thickness thereof. Nevertheless, since the focus actuator 41 and the zoom actuator 71 are separated from the diameter of the lens barrel 12 by a preferable example using the lens barrel 12, the stepping motors 42 and 72 of the focus actuator 41 and the zoom actuator 71 are provided. Magnetic interference between the rotors 46 and 76 and the stepping motors 42 and 72 of the focus actuator 41 or the zoom actuator 71 adjacent thereto can be suppressed. As a result, when the operation timings of the focus actuator 41 and the zoom actuator 71 overlap, there is no possibility of causing a drive failure due to the influence of the magnetic interference, and the drive of the actuator can be stabilized.

  Further, the stepping motors 42 and 72 include excitation coils 48 and 78 that generate a magnetic flux when a drive pulse is applied thereto, and rotor through holes 49 and 79 in which the rotors 46 and 76 are disposed. , And the generated magnetic flux is guided to the rotor through holes 49 and 79 by the magnetic path portions 45a and 75a of the yokes 45 and 75 to rotate the rotors 46 and 76. 78 and the rotors 46 and 76 have no particular restrictions on the positional relationship.

  For this reason, even if the coil blocks 44 and 74 are arbitrarily arranged with respect to the rotors 46 and 76, they can function as a motor, and there is no restriction on the arrangement of the rotors 46 and 76 and the exciting coils 48 and 78. Therefore, when the coil blocks 44 and 74 are arranged along an arbitrary edge of the base 32, the shape of the casing 31 having the base 32 is changed to a shape corresponding to the arrangement of the exciting coils 48 and 78. It is possible to obtain a degree of freedom in designing the shape of the lens barrel driving device 13.

  The lens barrel driving device 13 having the above-described configuration transmits the rotation from the rotors 46 and 76 of the stepping motors 42 and 72 to the lens driving mechanisms 25 and 26 that drive the lens barrel 12, as described above. Reduction gear trains 43 and 73 are used. Since these reduction gear trains 43 and 73 do not obtain a large reduction ratio in one stage unlike a worm gear, there is little power loss due to sliding friction, and accordingly the power consumption of the stepping motors 42 and 72 can be reduced.

  The assembly state of the lens barrel 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state of assembly of the lens barrel 12, and FIG. 10 shows a cross section in a state where the lens barrel 12 is assembled.

  As shown in the figure, the lens barrel 12 is inserted into a casing 31 as a unit main body from the front end side (lower side in the figure), and is fixed to the casing 31 together with a circuit block 14 as a sensor substrate. That is, a lens frame 208 that supports a rotating portion is provided at the rear end portion (upper side in the drawing) of the lens barrel 12, and three screw hole portions 201 that are fixing screw through holes are formed in the lens frame 208. Yes. A guide pin 203 into which the guide pin hole 202 of the circuit block 14 is fitted is provided on the rear end surface of the lens frame 208, and three screw holes 204 are formed in the circuit block 14 corresponding to the positions of the screw hole portions 201. Is formed. The casing 31 is provided with a fixing screw hole 206 into which the fixing screw 205 is screwed. In the figure, reference numeral 16 denotes an image sensor, 21 denotes a fixed lens, 23 denotes a focus lens, and 24 denotes a zoom lens.

  Therefore, the lens barrel 12 is inserted into the casing 31 from the front end side, and the guide pin hole 202 of the circuit block 14 is fitted into the guide pin 203 of the lens frame 208, thereby positioning the lens barrel 12 and the circuit block 14 to be integrated. Turn into. The fixing screw 205 is inserted from the screw hole 204 side of the circuit block 14, and the fixing screw 205 is screwed into the fixing screw hole 206 through the screw hole 201. Thereby, the circuit block 14 and the lens barrel 12 are fixed to the casing 31 by fastening together.

  For this reason, since it is not necessary to provide the screw hole part 201 in the lens frame 208 side and to provide the fixing part in the rotating lens barrel 12, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the entire module.

  Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The example shown in the figure is an example of a camera module provided with an image sensor in a lens driving module.

  11 is a plan view of a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a view taken along the line AA in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a view taken along the line BB in FIG. It is shown. The same members as those of the camera module using the lens barrel shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in the figure, a base 31 and a cover 33 are provided in a casing 31 constituting the camera module, and a circuit block 14 is further attached. The base 32 is provided with a second fixed lens group 211, and the imaging element 16 is provided on the rear surface (lower side in the figure) of the second fixed lens group 211. A first fixed lens group 212 is attached to the casing 31 at a position facing the image sensor 16 with the second fixed lens group 211 interposed therebetween.

  Inside the casing 31 on both outer sides of the optical path openings of the first fixed lens group 212 and the second fixed lens group 211, a first extending in the optical axis direction (vertical direction in the drawing) of the lens group across the cover 33 and the base 32. A feed screw shaft 213 and a second feed screw shaft 214 are rotatably supported.

  The first movable lens holder 216 is screwed into the screw portion 215 of the first feed screw shaft 213, and the second movable lens holder 218 is screwed into the screw portion 217 of the second feed screw shaft 214. The first movable lens holder 216 holds the first movable lens group 219, and the second movable lens holder 218 holds the second movable lens group 220.

  That is, when the first feed screw shaft 213 and the second feed screw shaft 214 rotate, the first movable lens holder 216 and the second movable lens holder 218 independently reciprocate in the vertical direction, and the first movable lens. The group 219 and the second movable lens group 220 are operated independently at an arbitrary position between the first fixed lens group 212 and the second fixed lens group 211. Thereby, zooming and focusing can be performed independently.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 12, a first guide shaft 221 and a second guide shaft 222 are provided across the cover 33 and the base 32. The first movable lens holder 216 is provided with through holes 216a and 216b, and the second movable lens holder 218 is provided with through holes 218a and 218b. The first guide shaft 221 passes through the through holes 216a and 218a, and the second guide shaft 222 passes through the through holes 216b and 218b. That is, the first guide shaft 221 and the second guide shaft 222, the through holes 216a and 218a, and the through holes 216b and 218b allow the first movable lens holder 216 and the second movable lens holder 218 to reciprocate only in the vertical direction. The movement in the rotational direction is restricted (rotation restricting means).

  On the other hand, a compression coil spring 223 as an urging means is provided between the first movable lens holder 216 and the second movable lens holder 218, and the compression coil spring 223 is located on the outer peripheral side of the optical path opening of the lens group. . The first movable lens holder 216 and the second movable lens holder 218 are urged away from each other by the compression coil spring 223, and rattling is suppressed. For this reason, the 1st movable lens holder 216 and the 2nd movable lens holder 218 can be moved with sufficient accuracy. Further, by using the compression coil spring 223 having a diameter positioned on the outer peripheral side of the optical path opening of the lens group, an urging force also acts in the rotational direction, and the radial direction of the first movable lens holder 216 and the second movable lens holder 218 is achieved. Shaking can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, a first shielding unit 224 is attached to the first movable lens holder 216, and a first detection unit 225 (for example, a photo) through which the first shielding unit 224 passes on the circuit block 14 side. (Interrupter) is provided. By detecting the first shielding unit 224 at the position of the first detection unit 225, a predetermined position (for example, the origin position) of the first movable lens holder 216 is detected. The second movable lens holder 218 is provided with a second shielding part 226, and a second detection part 227 (for example, a photo interrupter) through which the second shielding part 226 passes is provided on the circuit block 14 side. By detecting the second shielding unit 226 at the position of the second detection unit 227, a predetermined position (for example, the origin position) of the second movable lens holder 218 is detected.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a stepping motor 42 is provided on the base 32 at the sides of the first feed screw shaft 213 and the second feed screw shaft 214. The stepping motor 42 includes a coil block 44, a yoke 45 (stator), a rotor 46, and the like, and has the same configuration as the stepping motor 42 shown in FIGS. That is, the rotor 46 is the output side of the stepping motor 42.

  An intermediate gear 228 meshes with the rotor 46, and a transmission gear 229 is provided on the rotation shaft of the intermediate gear 228. Input gears 230 are respectively provided at lower ends of the first feed screw shaft 213 and the second feed screw shaft 214, and the input gear 230 meshes with the transmission gear 229. Each gear shaft is supported by a cover 33 constituting the casing 31. In the figure, reference numeral 233 denotes a screw for stopping the member on the coil block 44 side, and 234 denotes a coil lead board.

  That is, in FIG. 11, by driving the left stepping motor 42, rotational force is transmitted to the input gear 230 via the rotor 46, the intermediate gear 228, and the transmission gear 229, and the first feed screw shaft 213 rotates. As the first feed screw shaft 213 rotates, the first movable lens holder 216 reciprocates along the first guide shaft 221 and the second guide shaft 222, and the first movable lens group 219 moves to a predetermined position. The movement of the first movable lens holder 216 is controlled by detecting the first shielding unit 224 by the first detection unit 225.

  In FIG. 11, by driving the right stepping motor 42, a rotational force is transmitted to the input gear 230 via the rotor 46, the intermediate gear 228, and the transmission gear 229, and the second feed screw shaft 214 rotates. As the second feed screw shaft 214 rotates, the second movable lens holder 218 reciprocates along the first guide shaft 221 and the second guide shaft 222, and the second movable lens group 220 moves to a predetermined position. The movement of the second movable lens holder 218 is controlled by detecting the second shielding unit 226 by the second detection unit 227.

  Therefore, since the stepping motor 42 for moving the first movable lens holder 216 (first movable lens group 219) and the second movable lens holder 218 (second movable lens group 220) is provided, one lens is provided by one motor. The group can be moved, and zooming and zooming and focusing can be driven independently to achieve optimum zooming and focusing. Then, the first movable lens holder 216 (first movable lens group 219) and the second movable lens holder 218 (second movable lens group 220) are moved by the first feed screw shaft 213 and the second feed screw shaft 214. A space corresponding to the difference between the thickness of the actuator and the height of the moving range of the lens group relative to the base can be secured around the moving range of the lens group, and a space in the radial direction of the lens group can be secured.

  The above-described embodiment has been described by taking an example in which two fixed lens groups and two moving lens groups are provided, and two motors for operating the moving lens groups are provided. The present invention can be applied to any configuration in which the fixed lens group and the moving lens group are combined to have at least two lens groups and the moving lens group is moved by providing at least one motor.

  The present invention relates to a lens barrel driving device mounted on a portable electronic device such as a card-type digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone, and used for focusing or zooming of a lens barrel, and a camera module including the device. Can be used in various industrial fields.

  The present invention also includes a lens driving module mounted on a portable electronic device such as a card-type digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone, and used for focusing or zooming of a lens group, and the lens driving module. The camera module can be used in the industrial field.

The perspective view which shows the camera module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the camera module of FIG. 1 in the state which removed the cover of the casing. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a focus actuator of the camera module in FIG. 1. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the zoom actuator of the camera module of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the relationship between the lens-barrel of the camera module of FIG. 1, and the last gear of each actuator. Sectional drawing which shows the detection part periphery of the camera module of FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the camera module of FIG. The perspective view which shows the structure of the stepping motor with which each actuator of the camera module of FIG. 1 is provided. The perspective view showing the assembly | attachment condition of the lens-barrel 12 of the camera module of FIG. Sectional drawing of the state which assembled | attached the lens-barrel 12 of the camera module of FIG. The top view of the camera module which concerns on the other embodiment of this invention. The AA arrow directional view in FIG. The BB arrow directional view in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Camera module 12 Body tube 13 Body tube drive device 14 Circuit block 15 Sensor (detection part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 Image pick-up element 23 Focus lens 24 Zoom lens 25 Focus lens drive mechanism 26 Zoom lens drive mechanism 31 Casing 32 Base 33 Cover 34 Lens barrel passage part (lens barrel arrangement part)
35 Lens barrel support plate (lens barrel placement section)
41 Focus actuator 42 Stepping motor 43 Reduction gear train (transmission mechanism)
44 Coil block 45 Yoke 45a Magnetic path portion of yoke 45b, 45c End portion of yoke 45d Yoke through-hole (shaft-passing portion)
46 rotor 47 iron core 47a core part 47b, 47c of iron core 48 exciting coil 49 rotor through hole 51 air gap 53 drive gear 54 rotating shaft 61 first reduction gear (transmission gear)
62 Second reduction gear (transmission gear)
63 Third reduction gear (transmission gear)
64 Fourth reduction gear (transmission gear)
71 Zoom actuator 72 Stepping motor 73 Reduction gear train (transmission mechanism)
74 Coil block 75 Yoke 75a Magnetic path portion of yoke 75b, 75c Yoke end portion 75d Yoke passage hole (shaft passage portion)
76 Rotor 77 Iron core 77a Core portion 77b, 77c of the iron core 78 Exciting coil 79 Rotor through hole 81 Air gap 83 Drive gear 84 Rotating shaft 91 First reduction gear (transmission gear)
92 Second reduction gear (transmission gear)
93 Third reduction gear (transmission gear)
94 Fourth reduction gear (transmission gear)
S space 201 screw hole 202 guide pin hole 203 guide pin 204 screw hole 205 fixing screw 206 fixing screw hole 208 lens frame 211 second fixed lens group 212 first fixed lens group 213 first feed screw shaft 214 second feed screw shaft 215 Screw portion 216 First movable lens holder 217 Screw portion 218 Second movable lens holder 219 First movable lens group 220 Second movable lens group 221 First guide shaft 222 Second guide shaft 223 Compression coil spring 224 First shielding portion 225 First detection unit 226 Second shielding unit 227 Second detection unit 228 Intermediate gear 229 Transmission gear 230 Input gear 233 Screw 234 Coil lead board

Claims (24)

A lens barrel driving device provided on one surface of a base with a plurality of actuators that individually exhibit a plurality of lens functions of the lens barrel,
Each of the actuators includes a stepping motor and a transmission mechanism that interlocks the lens barrel with the motor, and the height of the actuator is lower than the height of the lens barrel with respect to the one surface. A lens barrel drive apparatus in which actuators are deployed and arranged along one surface of the base so as to be separated from each other around a lens barrel arrangement portion where the lens barrel is arranged. Base and
A focus actuator provided on one surface of the base, comprising a stepping motor and a transmission mechanism for interlocking with the motor having a focusing function and a zooming function in conjunction with the motor;
A stepping motor and a zoom actuator provided with a transmission mechanism for interlocking the lens barrel to the motor and formed thinner than the lens barrel, and provided on the one surface;
A lens barrel drive device in which the focus actuator and the zoom actuator are separated from each other around a lens barrel arrangement portion where the lens barrel is arranged and deployed along one surface of the base.   The lens barrel drive device according to claim 2, wherein the stepping motors included in the focus actuator and the zoom actuator are arranged symmetrically with the lens barrel arrangement portion interposed therebetween.   The lens barrel drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a lens barrel passing portion is provided in a cover in which the actuators are assembled with the base.   The stepping motor includes an iron core integrally provided with a yoke connecting portion at an end of a core portion and an exciting coil wound around the core portion, and a coil block disposed along one surface of the base, the yoke connecting portion A magnetic path portion other than an end portion connected to the portion is provided without overlapping the coil block, and a yoke having a rotor through hole in the magnetic path portion and a rotor disposed in the rotor through hole are provided. The lens barrel drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The lens barrel drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rotor and the transmission mechanism are arranged to be shifted along the one surface with respect to the coil block.   The lens barrel drive device according to claim 6, wherein the transmission mechanism includes a reduction gear train, and a gear shaft of the gear train is disposed in a projection region of the stepping motor.   The lens barrel drive device according to claim 7, wherein the magnetic path portion has a shaft passing portion formed of a through hole or a notch, and the gear shaft is passed through the shaft passing portion.   The lens barrel drive device according to claim 7, wherein a gap is formed between the magnetic path portion and the coil block, and the gear shaft is passed through the gap. A camera module provided with a plurality of actuators that individually exert a plurality of lens functions of the lens barrel on one surface of the base,
Each of the actuators includes a stepping motor and a transmission mechanism that interlocks the lens barrel with the motor, and the height of the actuator is lower than the height of the lens barrel with respect to the one surface. A camera module in which actuators are deployed and arranged along one surface of the base apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel. Base and
A lens barrel having a focusing function and a zooming function;
A focus actuator provided on one surface of the base, comprising a stepping motor and a transmission mechanism for interlocking the lens barrel to the motor and formed thinner than the lens barrel;
A stepping motor and a zoom actuator provided with a transmission mechanism for interlocking the lens barrel with the motor, formed thinner than the lens barrel, and provided on the one surface;
A camera module in which the focus actuator and the zoom actuator are separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the lens barrel and deployed along one surface of the base.   The camera module according to claim 11, wherein stepping motors provided in the focus actuator and the zoom actuator are arranged symmetrically with the lens barrel interposed therebetween.   The camera module according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a lens barrel passing portion is provided in a cover in which the actuators are assembled with the base.   The stepping motor includes an iron core integrally provided with a yoke connecting portion at an end of a core portion and an exciting coil wound around the core portion, and a coil block disposed along one surface of the base, the yoke connecting portion A magnetic path portion other than an end portion connected to the portion is provided without overlapping the coil block, and a yoke having a rotor through hole in the magnetic path portion and a rotor disposed in the rotor through hole are provided. The camera module according to any one of claims 10 to 13.   The camera module according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the rotor and the transmission mechanism are arranged between the coil block and the lens barrel.   The camera module according to claim 15, wherein the transmission mechanism includes a reduction gear train, and a gear shaft of the gear train is disposed in a projection region of the stepping motor.   The camera module according to claim 16, wherein the magnetic path portion has a shaft-passing portion including a through hole or a notch, and the gear shaft is passed through the shaft-passing portion.   The camera module according to claim 16, wherein a gap is formed between the magnetic path portion and the coil block, and the gear shaft is passed through the gap.   A plurality of fixing screw through-holes are provided at the rear end of the lens barrel and a guide pin to which the sensor board is fitted is provided. 10. The sensor board and the lens barrel are fastened to the unit main body by fastening together by inserting a fixing screw from the sensor board side in a combined state and passing through the fixing screw through hole. The lens barrel drive device according to item.   A camera module comprising an imaging device in the lens barrel driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. At least two lens groups;
At least one stepping motor formed with a width narrower than the movable range of the lens group;
A feed screw shaft for reciprocating at least one lens group in the optical axis direction;
A lens drive module comprising: a gear train that transmits the output of the stepping motor to the feed screw shaft. Stepping motor
A coil block arranged along one surface of the base having an iron core integrally provided with a yoke connecting part at the end of the core part and an exciting coil wound around the core part, and a rotor through hole in the magnetic path part The lens driving module according to claim 21, comprising a yoke and a rotor disposed in the rotor through-hole and having an output portion formed therein. Position detecting means for detecting the position of the lens group;
A rotation restricting means that allows only reciprocation of the lens group;
The lens driving module according to claim 21, further comprising: an urging unit that urges the lens group in one direction along the optical axis.   24. A camera module comprising an imaging device in the lens driving module according to any one of claims 21 to 23.

Images