WO2008047782A1

WO2008047782A1 - Actuator

Info

Publication number: WO2008047782A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/070148
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomoyuki Kugou; Takeshi Kogawa; Takeshi Yano; Sze Keat Chee
Original assignee: Namiki Seimitsu Houseki Kabushikikaisha; Yuugengaisya Mechano Transformer
Priority date: 2006-10-16
Filing date: 2007-10-16
Publication date: 2008-04-24
Also published as: KR101085415B1; KR20090086526A

Abstract

Provided is an actuator which can be reduced in size and thickness while keeping the moving distance of a mechanical element or an optical element sufficient. The unidirectional displacement, as outputted from a drive member (1) such as a piezoelectric element, is transmitted, while being enlarged in displacement, to a movable member (3) by a displacement enlarging mechanism (2) of a specific constitution, which includes a plurality levers (20a and 20b) arranged along the displacement transmitting direction, stationary portions (21a and 21b) for supporting those levers (20a and 20b), fulcrum joint portions (22a and 22b) made elastically deformable for forming the fulcrums of the levers, and elastically deformable joint portions (23a and 23b) for establishing the points of force of the levers. Although the size and thickness are reduced, the actuator can retain a large extent of movement for the movable member (3).

Description

Specification

Actuator

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuator suitable as a driving means for mechanical elements and optical elements of a small precision instrument. Background art

[0002] A camera module incorporated in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone is required to have a high-speed and high-precision autofocus function and a zoom function, as in a normal electronic camera (digital camera).

To realize these functions, it is necessary to move the lens group of the camera module in the direction of the optical axis at high speed and high precision. 'Thinning is progressing, the camera module and its components are required to be smaller and thinner.

[0003] A force with a screw-type rotation mechanism is generally known as an actuator for moving a lens of a camera module. This type of mechanism is accompanied by mechanical sliding, which increases the energy loss. Also, there is a difficulty that abrasion powder is easily generated by friction. In addition, there are structural limitations that make it difficult to reduce the size and thickness. For this reason, it cannot be applied to the recent lens moving mechanism for mobile terminals that require power saving, high precision, miniaturization and thinning.

[0004] Further, for example, in Patent Document 1, a movable part holding a lens is supported in a cantilevered manner so as to be movable up and down with respect to a fixed part via an elastic member such as a plate frame, and the movable part. And an actuator in which a shape memory alloy is installed between the fixed portions so that the elastic member can be deformed.

In Patent Document 2, a lens holder is provided so as to be movable along a guide shaft and a drive shaft arranged in parallel with the lens optical axis, and the drive shaft is excited by exciting a piezo element mounted on the lens holder. An actuator is shown in which a lens holder is moved along a guide shaft and a drive shaft by applying a driving force (a traveling wave due to bending vibration) to the guide shaft.

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP 2002-130114 A Patent Document 2: JP 2006-106797

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] However, the actuators disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 both have a device thickness in the lens moving direction (actuator height) to ensure a sufficient lens moving distance due to structural limitations. ) Increases, and there is a problem that it cannot sufficiently cope with the miniaturization and thinning required for the lens moving mechanism for mobile terminals.

Therefore, the object of the present invention can be reduced in size and thickness while ensuring a sufficient movement distance of mechanical elements and optical elements when applied to driving means such as mechanical elements and optical elements of small precision equipment. It is to provide a unique actuator.

Means for solving the problem

[0007] When applied to a driving means such as a mechanical element or an optical element of a small precision instrument, the present inventors can reduce the size and thickness while ensuring a sufficient movement distance of the mechanical element and the optical element. As a result of repeated investigations on the actuator mechanism, it is possible to identify the displacement in the uniaxial direction output from the drive member such as a piezoelectric element with multiple levers (lever) arranged along the displacement transmission direction. It has been found that the above problem can be solved by transmitting to the movable member by the displacement expansion mechanism of the structure.

[0008] The present invention has been made on the basis of such knowledge and has the following gist.

[1] A drive member (1) that deforms with a deformation amount corresponding to the amount of energy input, and outputs the deformation as a displacement in a uniaxial direction, and the displacement output from the drive member (1) An actuator including a displacement magnifying mechanism (2) for transmitting the movable member (3) to the movable member (3) while expanding the movable member (3),

The displacement enlarging mechanism (2) includes a plurality of levers (20) arranged along the displacement transmission direction, and a fixing portion (21) that supports the lever (20),

Each lever (20) is supported by the fixed portion (21) by being coupled to the fixed portion (21) via an elastically deformable fulcrum coupling portion (22) that forms the fulcrum of the lever, and adjacent to each other. Between the levers (20) to be moved and between the most upstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction and the displacement output part (100) of the drive member (1) are elastically deformable force point coupling portions (the point of force of the lever) 23) combined And

The distal end portion of the most downstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction is connected to or engaged with the movable member (3), and the movable member (3) is displaced by the displacement of the most downstream lever (20). Like

[0009] [2] In the actuator according to [1], the most upstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction has a base end portion that is fixed to the fixed portion (21) via the fulcrum coupling portion (22). Are coupled to the displacement output part (100) of the drive member (1) via the force point coupling part (23), and the levers (20) other than the most upstream lever (20) The proximal end portion is coupled to the fixing portion (21) via the fulcrum coupling portion (22), and the distal end portion of another lever (20) adjacent via the force point coupling portion (23). The actuator is characterized by being coupled to the

[3] In the actuator according to [2] above, a fulcrum coupling portion (22) coupled to a proximal end portion of at least one lever (20) of the plurality of levers (20) and a force point coupling portion (23 ) Is an actuator having a length of 1/4 or more of the length of the lever (20).

[4] In the actuator according to any one of the above [1] to [3], the displacement enlarging mechanism (2) is composed of a molded body or / and a laminated body made of a metal or / and a resin. A feature actuator.

[5] In the above [1] to [4]! /, Or any of the actuators! /, The fulcrum connected to the most downstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction among the plurality of levers (20) The parallel direction of the connecting part (22) and the force point connecting part (23) is perpendicular to the displacement surface of the lever (20) upstream from the most downstream lever (20). Characteristic feature.

[6] The actuator according to [5], wherein the driving member (1) and the displacement magnifying mechanism (2) are arranged in a state of surrounding the movable member (3) in a planar manner.

[7] In the actuator according to [6] above, the displacement enlarging mechanism (2) includes the first and second levers (20), and the movable member (3) includes the drive member (1) and the first lever. An actuator characterized by being surrounded by at least three sides by one lever (20) and second lever (20).

[0011] [8] The above-mentioned [1] to [4]! /, Or any of the actuators! /, And the fulcrum coupling portion (22) coupled to each of the plurality of levers (20) and the power point The actuator is characterized in that the parallel direction of the connecting portion (23) is parallel to the displacement surface of the lever (20) upstream of the lever (20). [9] In the actuator according to [8] above, the displacement enlarging mechanism (2) includes first and second levers (20), and the first and second levers (20) and the drive member (1) The actuator is characterized in that the fixing portion (21) to which the fulcrum coupling portion (22) of the second lever (20) is coupled is surrounded in three directions! /.

[10] In the above [1] to [9] !, or any of the actuators! /, The tip pi of the lever (20) and the fulcrum coupling (22) coupled to the lever (20) ) In the direction of the displacement output direction of the drive member (1).

[11] A drive member (1) that is deformed by a deformation amount corresponding to the amount of energy input, and outputs the force at both ends as the deformation in a uniaxial direction, and is output from the drive member (1) An actuator including a displacement enlarging mechanism (2) that transmits the displacement to the movable member (3) while increasing the amount of displacement, and moves the movable member (3).

The displacement enlarging mechanism (2) includes a pair of lever groups (X) and (Y) including a plurality of levers (20) arranged along a displacement transmission direction, and a fixed supporting the lever (20). Connecting member (24) that is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction, connecting the most downstream lever (20) and the movable member (3) in the displacement transmission direction of the part (21) and the two lever groups (X), (Υ). )

Each lever (20) is supported by the fixed portion (21) by being coupled to the fixed portion (21) via an elastically deformable fulcrum coupling portion (22) that forms the fulcrum of the lever, and adjacent to each other. Between the levers (20) to be moved and between the most upstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction and the displacement output part (100) of the drive member (1) are elastically deformable force point coupling portions (the point of force of the lever) 23)

The distal end portion of the most downstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction of the pair of lever groups (X) and (Υ) and the movable member (3) are connected by the connecting member (24). An actuator characterized in that the movable member (3) is displaced by the displacement of (20) via the connecting member (24).

[0013] [12] In the actuator according to [11] above, the most downstream lever in the displacement transmission direction of the pair of lever groups (X) and (Y) in any of the following forms (i) to (iii) An activator characterized in that the tip side portion of (20) and the movable member (3) are connected by a connecting member (24)! /. (i) A pair of connecting members (24) 1, both sides of the movable member (3) and the leading end portions of the two most downstream levers (20) are connected to each other, and the two most downstream levers (20) Displacement of the movable member (3) is performed by moving the tip side parts closer to and away from each other.

(ii) The connecting member (24) connects the tip end portions of the two most downstream levers (20), and the intermediate portion of the connecting member (24) is coupled to the movable member (3), so that both the most downstream levers The movable member (3) is displaced by performing a displacement in which the tip side parts of (20) approach and separate.

(iii) A pair of connecting members (24), which are respectively installed on the distal end portions of the fixed portion (21) and the two most downstream levers (20), and the intermediate portion of both connecting members (24) is the movable member (3) The movable member (3) is displaced by connecting or engaging with both sides of each of the two, and the distal end portions of the two most downstream levers (20) are displaced toward and away from the fixed portion (21). Make it work.

[0014] [13] The actuator according to [11] or [12] above! /, And each lever group (X), (Y)! /, The most upstream lever (20 ) Is connected to the fixed portion (21) through the fulcrum coupling portion (22) at the base end portion, and to each displacement at both ends of the drive member (1) through the force coupling portion (23). The lever (20) other than the most upstream lever (20) is coupled to the output unit (100), and the base end portion of the lever (20) is connected to the fixing unit (21) via the fulcrum coupling unit (22). The actuator is characterized in that it is coupled to the tip side portion of another adjacent lever (20) through a force point coupling portion (23).

[14] The actuator according to [13] above! /, And each lever group (X), (Y)! /, And at least one lever (20) of the plurality of levers (20) The fulcrum coupling portion (22) and the force point coupling portion (23) coupled to the base end side portion of the lever have a length of 1/4 or more of the length of the lever (20). The actuator.

[15] The displacement enlarging mechanism (2) other than the displacement enlarging mechanism (2) or the connecting member (24) is provided in the! / Of any of the above [11] to [14]! / An actuator comprising a molded body or / and a laminated body made of metal or / and resin.

[16] In the above [11] to [15] !, or to any of the actuators! /, The pair of levers (X), (Y) is a flat surface of a plurality of levers (20). An actuator characterized in that its shape and arrangement are line symmetric or point symmetric.

[17] Above [11] to [16]! /, Any of the actuators! /, To each lever group (X), (Y) The total of all levers with a length of straight line L connecting the tip pi of the lever (20) and the longitudinal center p2 of the fulcrum coupling (22) coupled to the lever (20) The actuator is characterized in that it is longer than the length of the force drive member (1) in the displacement output direction.

[18] In the above [1] to [17], or any of the actuators! /, The drive member (1) is a force piezoelectric element, magnetostrictive element, or shape memory alloy material An actuator characterized by

[19] The tip of the most downstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction is connected to or engaged with the lens holder (3), and the lens holder (3) is displaced by the displacement of the most downstream lever (20). A lens actuator using the actuator according to any one of [1] to [18] above.

The invention's effect

[0016] The actuator according to the present invention has a structure in which the uniaxial displacement output from the driving member is transmitted to the movable member by a displacement magnifying mechanism having a specific structure including a plurality of levers arranged along the displacement transmission direction. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a large amount of movement of the movable member while having a small or thin structure. For this reason, it is possible to provide an actuator that can be reduced in size and thickness while ensuring a sufficient movement distance of mechanical elements and optical elements. In addition, the displacement expansion mechanism has no mechanical contact, so there is little energy loss due to almost no wear, so the life of the actuator and energy efficiency can be improved.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 show an embodiment of the actuator of the present invention, and show a case where the present invention is applied to a lens actuator incorporated in a lens module of a portable terminal. 1 is an overall perspective view, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 3 is a perspective view with a movable member removed, FIG. 4 is a plan view, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a function (operation form). . In the figure, reference numeral 3 denotes a movable member to be displaced by the actuator, and in this embodiment is a lens Honoreda.

[0018] The actuator is deformed by a deformation amount corresponding to the input energy amount, and outputs the deformation as a displacement in a uniaxial direction, and the displacement output from the drive member 1 is converted into a displacement amount. It is transmitted to the movable member 3 while enlarging, and the movable member 3 is displaced. Equipped with a displacement magnifying mechanism 2.

In this embodiment, in order to make the actuator as thin as possible, the driving member 1 and the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 are configured to surround the movable member 3 in a plane, in other words, driven to the outer peripheral portion of the movable member 3. The member 1 and the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 are arranged. In such a structure, it is possible to sufficiently secure the length of the lever (lever) constituting the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 that only requires the central space to be the accommodating space for the movable member 3 to reduce the thickness of the actuator. This is advantageous in obtaining a large displacement expansion amount. For example, when applied to a lens actuator, there is no member that obstructs the optical axis of the lens, which is particularly advantageous for downsizing and thinning.

[0019] The drive member 1 is not particularly limited as long as it can be deformed by a deformation amount corresponding to the amount of energy input, and can output this deformation as a displacement in a uniaxial direction. An element, a shape memory alloy material, or the like can be used. A piezoelectric element is an element that generates dimensional distortion in accordance with an applied drive voltage, and a magnetostrictive element is an element that generates displacement by applying a magnetic field from the outside. These drive members are deformed by a deformation amount corresponding to the amount of energy such as electricity and heat, and can be output as a displacement in a uniaxial direction. However, among these, the driving member 1 of the present embodiment, in which the piezoelectric element is particularly preferable in that it has a driving structure for taking out displacement directly from electricity, is also composed of the piezoelectric element.

[0020] The driving member 1 (piezoelectric element) of the present invention has a quadrangular prism shape, generates dimensional distortion (displacement) in the longitudinal direction, and outputs the dimensional distortion from the displacement output unit 100 at the tip in a uniaxial direction. . For example, when a magnetostrictive element is used for the driving member 1, the same action can be obtained by providing a mechanism for generating a magnetic field separately.

The driving member 1 is fixed to a force that is fixed to a fixing portion 21a, which will be described later, or a vessel that supports the entire actuator.

The amount of displacement in the uniaxial direction that can be output from an extremely small piezoelectric element that is applied to a camera module of a portable terminal is usually about several hundred ppm in the stacked type. In the present invention, such displacement is several tens to one hundred times. The objective is to enlarge the transmission to the movable member 3 and move the movable member 3 to a displacement.

[0021] The displacement magnifying mechanism 2 includes a plurality of levers 20 arranged along the displacement transmission direction, The displacement magnifying mechanism 2 of the present embodiment has a force S provided with the fixing portion 21 that supports the lever 20 of the present invention, and the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 of the present embodiment can The first lever 20a (the most upstream lever) connected in a 90 ° relationship and the second lever connected in a 90 ° relationship to the longitudinal direction of the lever 20a at the tip of the first lever 20a The movable member 3 has a U-shaped structure surrounded by a drive member 1, a first lever 20a, and a second lever 20b. ing.

The fixing portion 21 includes a fixing portion 21a installed in parallel with the driving member 1 at an outer position of the driving member 1, and a fixing portion installed in parallel with the lever 21b below the second lever 21b. 21b, and these fixing portions 21a and 21b are fixed to a body that supports the entire actuator.

In each embodiment of the present invention described below including this embodiment, each lever 20 constituting the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 includes a plate-like fulcrum coupling portion 22 and a force point coupling portion 23 that are elastically deformable. The fulcrum coupling part 22 and the force point coupling part 23 are both plate-shaped, so that there is little lateral deflection when the lever 20 is actuated. Therefore, displacement transmission and expansion by the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 can be stably performed.In the present embodiment, the first lever 20a has a quadrangular prism shape, and its proximal end partial force, lever fulcrum Is coupled to the distal end of the fixing portion 21a via an elastically deformable plate-like supporting point coupling portion 22a that forms the same, and is thereby supported by the fixing portion 21a. Further, at a position slightly closer to the lever tip side than the coupling position of the fulcrum coupling portion 22a, the lever 20a and the displacement output portion 100 (driving member distal end) of the driving member 1 are not connected to the lever. Are connected by elastically deformable plate-shaped force point connecting portions 23a that form the force points. The fulcrum coupling portion 22a and the force point coupling portion 23a have a relatively short plate shape, and are coupled at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the first lever 20a.

[0023] The second lever 20b also has a quadrangular prism shape, and its base end side portion is coupled to the lower fixing portion 21b via the fulcrum coupling portion 22b, and the force point coupling portion 23b is provided. The first lever 20a is coupled to the tip side portion of the first lever 20a.

The fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b are relatively long plates, One end portion is coupled to the base end side portion of the lever 20b so as to be along the longitudinal direction of the lever 20b. Further, the other end of the force point coupling portion 23b is coupled to the lever 20a in the longitudinal direction, and the other end of the fulcrum coupling portion 22b is coupled to the fixing portion 21b.

In the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 of the present invention, the fulcrum coupling portion 22 and the force point coupling portion 23 coupled to the base end side portion of at least one lever 20 of the plurality of levers 20 It is desirable to have a length of 1/4 or more, preferably 1/3 or more, more preferably 1/2 or more of the length. In this way, by sufficiently increasing the lengths of the fulcrum coupling part 22 and the force point coupling part 23, a large deformation amount can be obtained while ensuring the rigidity of these coupling parts. This is because the displacement expansion amount of the mechanism 2 can be increased. In the present embodiment, the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b coupled to the base end side portion of the second lever 20b have a length that is approximately half the length of the lever 20b. ing.

Here, the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 of the present embodiment converts the displacement in the horizontal direction of the drive member 1 into the vertical direction and transmits it to the movable member 3 for the purpose of converting this displacement direction. The parallel direction of the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b coupled to the lever 20b (the most downstream lever in the displacement transmission direction) (the direction of the arrow (α) in FIG. 3), the upstream side of the lever 20b The structure is perpendicular to the displacement surface of the lever 20a (displacement surface in the direction of the arrow (/ 3) in Fig. 3).

[0026] The distal end portion of the second lever 20b (the most downstream lever in the displacement transmission direction) is connected to or engaged with the movable member 3, and the movable member 3 is displaced by the displacement of the lever 20b. It is. In the present embodiment, the lens holder that is the movable member 3 has a plate-like attachment portion 31 protruding from the upper end of the ring-shaped main body 30, and the attachment portion 31 is in contact with the upper surface of the lever 20b. Both are connected by being clamped by a U-shaped connecting member 4 (plate panel). In addition, 5 and 6 are presser springs for holding the upper and lower portions of the movable member 3 (lens holder).

[0027] In the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 of the present invention, in order to increase the displacement magnifying amount as much as possible, it is preferable to increase the overall length of the plurality of levers 20, as shown in FIG. A straight line connecting the distal end pi of each lever 20 (20a, 20b) and the longitudinal center p2 of the fulcrum coupling portion 22 (22a, 22b) coupled to the proximal end portion of each lever 20 (20a, 20b) L length of all levers It is preferable that the measured force is not less than the length of the drive member 1 in the displacement output direction.

[0028] The displacement magnifying mechanism 2 is composed of a molded body or / and a laminated body made of metal (for example, stainless steel) and / or resin. This laminate is a laminate of thin plates. The displacement magnifying mechanism 2 may be composed of a molded body or a laminated body that is integrally molded as a whole, but in this embodiment, the main portions of the fixed portion 21a and the first lever 20a are integrally molded or a one-volume layered body. The distal end portion 25 of the fixed portion 21b, the second lever 20b, and the first lever 20a is composed of a molded body or an integral laminate, and the portion 25 is on the leading end side of the lever 20a. By being fixed, the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 is configured.

Three or more levers 20 constituting the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 may be provided along the displacement transmission direction.For example, in the example of the present embodiment, the first lever 20a and the second lever 20b are provided between the first lever 20a and the second lever 20b. One or more levers with the same principle as the one lever 20a may be provided.

FIG. 5 shows the function (operation form) of the actuator of the present embodiment.

When a predetermined driving voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element that is the driving member 1, the piezoelectric element expands in the direction of the arrow (A) due to dimensional distortion, and the uniaxial displacement from the displacement output unit 100 passes through the force point coupling unit 23a to the first point. The signal is output to the lever 20a (that is, the lever 20a is pressed). As a result, the first lever 20a rotates in the direction of the arrow (B) with the fulcrum coupling portion 22a being deformed as a fulcrum. By the rotation of the first lever 20a, the force point coupling portion 23b of the second lever 20b is pulled in the direction of the arrow (C), so that the second lever 20b deforms the fulcrum coupling portion 22b. Using this as a fulcrum, it rotates (rotates upward) in the direction of the arrow (D). Therefore, the movable member 3 connected to the tip of the second lever 20b is also displaced (raised) upward. Naturally, when the piezoelectric element that is the driving member 1 is reduced in the direction of the arrow (A), the movable member 3 is displaced (lowered) downward by the reverse operation. Then, in the process of displacement transmission by the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 as described above, the displacement output from the drive member 1 is expanded (amplified), and is more than tens of times the output displacement amount of the drive member 1 (in some cases) A displacement of 100 times or more is transmitted to the movable member.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show other embodiments of the actuator of the present invention, and show a case where the present invention is applied to a lens actuator incorporated in a lens module of a portable terminal. 6 is a perspective view, FIG. 7 is a side view, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view with a movable member attached. The In the figure, reference numeral 3 denotes a movable member to be displaced by the actuator, which is a lens holder in this embodiment.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 described above has a structure in which the drive member 1 and the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 are arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the movable member 3 in order to make the actuator as thin as possible in a plane. However, in this embodiment, in order to minimize the installation area of the actuator, the vertical type is used, and the displacement is transmitted and expanded on the same plane.

[0031] This actuator is also deformed by a deformation amount corresponding to the amount of energy input, and the drive member 1 that outputs this deformation as a displacement in a uniaxial direction, and the displacement output from the drive member 1 are displaced. A displacement magnifying mechanism 2 that transmits the movable member 3 to the movable member 3 while increasing the amount and moves the movable member 3 is provided.

The drive member 1 is composed of a piezoelectric element as in the embodiments of FIGS. This drive member 1 (piezoelectric element) has a quadrangular prism shape and generates dimensional distortion (displacement) in the longitudinal direction thereof, and outputs this dimensional distortion from the displacement output unit 100 at the tip in a uniaxial direction.

The displacement enlarging mechanism 2 includes a plurality of levers 20 arranged along the displacement transmission direction and a fixing portion 21 that supports the levers 20. The fixing portion 21 has upper and lower horizontal fixing portions 21c and 21d having an appropriate interval, and a fixing portion 21e that connects the fixing portions 21c and 21d with a part thereof. The drive member 1 of the present embodiment is positioned between the upper and lower fixed portions 21c and 2 Id, and is held horizontally by the fixed portion 21e via its rear end portion. The fixing portions 21c and 21d form a gap with the driving member 1 and are positioned in parallel above and below the driving member 1, respectively. The upper fixing portion 21c is longer than the driving member 1. The fixing portion 21 is fixed to a container that supports the entire actuator.

In the longitudinal direction, the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 of the present embodiment is connected to the distal end (displacement output portion) of the drive member 1 in a relationship of 90 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the drive member 1 and extends upward. The lever 20a (the most upstream lever) and the tip of the first lever 20a are connected at a 90 ° relationship to the longitudinal direction of the lever 20a, and extend horizontally in a state almost parallel to the drive member 1. A second lever 20b (most downstream lever) is provided!

[0033] The first lever 20a has a relatively short base end side portion at the distal end of the fixed portion 21d via an elastically deformable plate-shaped fulcrum coupling portion 22a that forms a fulcrum of the lever. Join Thus, it is supported by the fixing portion 21d. Further, at a position slightly closer to the lever tip side than the coupling position of the fulcrum coupling portion 22a, the lever power point is between the proximal end portion of the lever 20a and the displacement output portion 100 (driving member tip) of the driving member 1. Are coupled by elastically deformable plate-shaped force point coupling portions 23a.

The fulcrum coupling portion 22a and the force point coupling portion 23a are coupled at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the first lever 20a.

[0034] The second lever 20b has a relatively long quadrangular prism shape and is disposed above the fixed portion 21c. The second lever 20b has a base end portion coupled to the distal end portion of the fixed portion 21c via the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the first lever 20a via the force point coupling portion 23b. It is connected to the tip side part.

The fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b have a relatively long plate shape, and one end portions of the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the proximal end side portion of the lever 20b are coupled along the longitudinal direction of the lever 20b. Further, the other end of the force point connecting portion 23b is connected to the lever 20a in the perpendicular direction, and the other end of the fulcrum connecting portion 22b is connected to the fixed portion 21c. In this embodiment, the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b coupled to the base end side portion of the second lever 20b have a length that is 1/2 or more of the length of the lever 20b. ing.

The second lever 20b, the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b coupled to the second lever 20b are arranged in parallel with the fixed portion 21c so as to form a gap.

Here, the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 of the present embodiment is coupled to the second lever 20b (the most downstream lever in the displacement transmission direction) so that the displacement is transmitted and expanded on the same surface. The parallel direction of the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b is parallel to the displacement surface of the lever 20a upstream of the lever 20b. In such a structure, the first lever 20a, the second lever 20b, and the driving member 1 form a gap between the fixed portion 21c to which the fulcrum coupling portion 22b of the second lever 20b is coupled. However, it has a compact structure (folded structure) surrounded by three sides.

[0036] The distal end portion of the second lever 20b (the most downstream lever in the displacement transmission direction) is connected to or engaged with the movable member 3, and the movable member 3 is displaced by the displacement of the lever 20b. It is. In the present embodiment, the lens holder that is the movable member 3 is attached to the lens in the center. A mounting portion 32 is formed to protrude from the upper end of the plate-like main body 30 having a hole, and this mounting portion 32 is connected (fixed) to the upper surface of the lever 20b.

The other configurations relating to the drive member 1, the displacement magnifying mechanism 2, and the like are the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS.

In the actuator of this embodiment, when a predetermined drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element that is the drive member 1, the actuator expands in the direction of the arrow (A) due to dimensional distortion, and the displacement in the uniaxial direction from the displacement output unit 100 is the power point. Is output to the first lever 20a through the connecting portion 23a (that is, the lever 20a is pushed). As a result, the first lever 20a rotates in the outward direction (arrow (B) direction) with the fulcrum coupling portion 22a being deformed as a fulcrum. By the rotation of the first lever 20a, the force point coupling portion 23b of the second lever 20b is pulled in the direction of the arrow (C), thereby causing the second lever 20b to deform the fulcrum coupling portion 22b. However, it turns upward (in the direction of arrow (D)) using this as a fulcrum. Therefore, the movable member 3 connected to the tip of the second lever 20b is also displaced (raised) upward. Naturally, when the piezoelectric element as the driving member 1 is reduced in the direction of the arrow (A), the movable member 3 is displaced (lowered) downward by the reverse operation. Then, in the process of displacement transmission by the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 as described above, the displacement output from the drive member 1 is magnified (amplified), and is more than tens of times the output displacement amount of the drive member 1 (in some cases) Is transferred to the movable member.

FIG. 9 to FIG. 11 show another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention, which is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 6 to FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view, FIG. 10 is a side view, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view with a movable member attached.

This embodiment is characterized by the structure of the second lever 20b and the fixing portion 21d that supports the second lever 20b with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. That is, the second lever 20b is longer than the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8, and has a length equal to or longer than the length of the drive member 1. A step portion 200 is formed at an upper portion of an intermediate portion of the lever 20b (in the present embodiment, a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction), and the longitudinal intermediate portion where the step portion 200 is formed and the tip of the first lever 20a. Side part and Are coupled at the power point coupling portion 23b. On the other hand, the length of the fixed portion 21c is shorter than the length of the drive member 1 (preferably about 2/3 to 1/2 of the length of the drive member 1). And the partial force on the base end side of the lever 20b are coupled by a fulcrum coupling portion 22b substantially parallel to the lever 20b.

[0039] In such an embodiment, the second lever 20b is long and the force point coupling portion 23b and the fulcrum coupling portion 22b are sufficiently long (approximately half of the length of the lever 20b). There is an advantage that the enlargement amount can be greatly increased.

Although not as compact as the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8, the displacement expansion mechanism 2 of this embodiment is also the first lever 20a, the second lever 20b, the driving member 1 force, and the second lever 20b. The fixed portion 21c to which the fulcrum coupling portion 22b is coupled has a compact structure (folded structure) surrounded by three sides while forming a gap.

Other configurations and basic functions are the same as those of the embodiment of FIGS.

[0040] FIGS. 12 to 14 show another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

It is a modification of 5 embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view, FIG. 13 is a plan view, and FIG. 14 is a side view. In this embodiment as well, in order to make the actuator as thin as possible, the drive member 1 and the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 form a movable member 3 in a plane. The structure is such that the drive member 1 and the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 are arranged on the outer periphery of the movable member 3.

[0041] The displacement magnifying mechanism 2 includes a force S including a plurality of levers 20 arranged along the displacement transmission direction and a fixing portion 21 that supports the lever 20, and the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 of the present embodiment is In the horizontal direction, the first lever 20a (the most upstream lever) connected to the front end (displacement output portion) of the drive member 1 at a 90 ° relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction of the drive member 1, And a second lever 20b (most downstream lever) connected to the tip of the lever 20a at a 90 ° relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction of the lever 20a. The first lever 20a and the second lever 20b are surrounded by a U-shape on three sides.

Further, the fixing portion 21 is installed in parallel with the driving member 1 at an inner position of the driving member 1. The fixed part 21a and the fixed part 21b installed in parallel to the lever 21b are provided inside the second lever 21b. The fixed part 21 including these fixed parts 21a and 21b is a body that supports the entire actuator. Fixed to.

[0042] The first lever 20a has a quadrangular prism shape, and a base end portion of the first lever 20a via the elastically deformable plate-shaped fulcrum coupling portion 22a that forms a fulcrum of the lever. It is coupled to the tip of 21a, and is supported by the fixing portion 21a. Further, at a position slightly closer to the rear end of the lever than the coupling position of the fulcrum coupling portion 22a, the lever force point is between the proximal end portion of the lever 20a and the displacement output portion 100 (driving member front end) of the driving member 1. Are connected by elastically deformable plate-shaped force point connecting portions 23a. The positional relationship between the fulcrum coupling portion 22a and the force point coupling portion 23a with respect to the lever 20a as described above is the reverse of the embodiment shown in FIGS. The fulcrum coupling portion 22a and the force point coupling portion 23a have a relatively short plate shape, and are coupled at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the first lever 20a.

[0043] The second lever 20b also has a quadrangular prism shape, and its proximal end portion is coupled to the end portion of the fixed portion 21b near the lever 20a via the fulcrum coupling portion 22b. The first lever 20a is coupled to the distal end portion of the first lever 20a through a coupling portion 23b.

The fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b have a relatively long plate shape, and one end portions of the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the proximal end side portion of the lever 20b are coupled along the longitudinal direction of the lever 20b. In addition, the other end of the force point coupling portion 23b is coupled perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the lever 20a, and the other end of the fulcrum coupling portion 22b is coupled to the fixing portion 21b via the horizontal portion 220. Has been.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b coupled to the proximal end portion of the second lever 20b have a length equal to or greater than the length of the lever 20b. .

Similarly to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 of the present embodiment converts the horizontal displacement of the drive member 1 into the vertical direction and transmits it to the movable member 3. In order to convert the displacement direction, the force in the parallel direction of the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b coupled to the lever 20b (the most downstream lever in the displacement transmission direction) is the upstream lever of the lever 20b. The structure is orthogonal to the displacement surface of 20a.

[0045] The tip side portion of the second lever 20b (the most downstream lever in the displacement transmission direction) is shown in Figs. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the movable member 3 is connected to or engaged with the movable member 3, and the movable member 3 is displaced by the displacement of the lever 20b.

In the actuator of the present embodiment, when a predetermined drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element that is the drive member 1, the actuator expands in the direction of the arrow (A) due to dimensional distortion, and the displacement in the uniaxial direction from the displacement output unit 100 is the power point. Is output to the first lever 20a through the connecting portion 23a (that is, the lever 20a is pushed). Here, since the force point coupling portion 23a is coupled to the lever rear end side with respect to the fulcrum coupling portion 22a, the first lever 20a deforms the fulcrum coupling portion 22a and uses it as a fulcrum in the inner direction ( Rotate in the direction of arrow (B). By the rotation of the first lever 20a, the force point coupling portion 23b of the second lever 20b is pushed out in the direction of the second lever 20b (arrow (C) direction), whereby the second lever 20b is Then, while deforming the fulcrum coupling portion 22b, the fulcrum coupling portion 22b is rotated upward (in the direction of the arrow (D)) using this as a fulcrum. Therefore, the movable member 3 connected to the tip of the second lever 20b is also displaced (raised) upward. Naturally, when the piezoelectric element which is the drive member 1 is reduced in the direction of the arrow (A), the movable member 3 is displaced (lowered) downward by the reverse operation. Then, in the process of displacement transmission by the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 as described above, the displacement output from the drive member 1 is expanded (amplified), and is more than several tens of times the output displacement amount of the drive member 1 (100 times in some cases). The above displacement amount is transmitted to the movable member.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention, and show a case where it is applied to a lens actuator incorporated in a lens module of a portable terminal. FIG. 15 is a plan view, FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state where a movable member is attached, and FIG. 17 is a schematic side view showing a state where the movable member is attached. In the figure, 3 is a movable member to which the actuator is to be displaced, and in this embodiment is a lens holder.

This actuator is also deformed by a deformation amount corresponding to the amount of energy input, and a drive member 1 that outputs this deformation as a displacement in a uniaxial direction, and a deformation output from the drive member 1 The displacement expanding mechanism 2 transmits the position to the movable member 3 while increasing the amount of displacement, and moves the movable member 3 to move. The displacement expanding mechanism 2 is arranged along the displacement transmission direction. A pair of lever groups X and Y comprising a plurality of levers 20 arranged, a fixing portion 21 that supports the lever 20, the most downstream lever 20 in the displacement transmission direction of both lever groups X and Y, and a movable member 3 and a connecting member 24 that is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction.

[0048] In the present embodiment as well, in order to make the actuator as thin as possible, the drive member 1 and the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 surround the movable member 3 in a planar manner, as in the embodiments of Figs. In other words, the driving member 1 and the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 are arranged on the outer periphery of the movable member 3. As described above, in such a structure, the length of the lever (lever) that constitutes the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 can be achieved simply by reducing the thickness of the actuator by using the central space as the accommodating space for the movable member 3. This is advantageous in obtaining a large displacement expansion amount. For example, when applied to a lens actuator, there is no member that obstructs the optical axis of the lens, which is particularly advantageous for miniaturization and thinning. On the other hand, the feature of the actuator of this embodiment with respect to each of the above-described embodiments is that it has a pair of left and right lever groups X and Y, so that the movable member 3 can be stably held and can be displaced by force S. Not only the lever 20 but also the elastically deformable connecting member 24 has a displacement expansion function, so that the entire displacement expansion amount can be increased accordingly. The drive member 1 is as described in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, and the drive member 1 of the present embodiment is also constituted by a piezoelectric element. The drive member 1 (piezoelectric element) of the present invention has a quadrangular prism shape, and causes dimensional distortion (displacement) in the longitudinal direction, and outputs this dimensional distortion from the displacement output portions 100 at both ends in a uniaxial direction. The drive member 1 is fixed to a container that supports the entire actuator.

[0049] The fixed portion 21 is placed at the center of the actuator, and the movable member 3 is disposed above the fixed portion 21. The driving member 1 is disposed on the side portion of the fixed portion 21. The fixing portion 21 is fixed to a container that supports the entire actuator.

In the pair of lever groups X and Y, the planar shape and arrangement of the plurality of levers 20 are axisymmetric with respect to the center of the actuator, and the lever 20 on the most downstream side is movable through the connecting member 24. Is structured to hold from both sides. Each lever group X, γ is connected in the horizontal direction to the first lever 20a (the most upstream lever) connected to one end (displacement output part) of the drive member 1 and to the tip of the first lever 20a. The second lever 20b (the most downstream lever) is provided.

[0050] The first lever 20a is configured in an L shape in the longitudinal direction (in the figure, 201 is an L-shaped first side, 202 is a second side), and both lever groups X, Y The L-shaped lever 20a is arranged in a gate shape. In each lever group X, Y, the first lever 20a is coupled at its proximal end portion to the fixed portion 21 via an elastically deformable plate-shaped fulcrum coupling portion 22a that forms a fulcrum of the lever. As a result, it is supported by the fixed portion 21. Further, at a position slightly closer to the rear end of the lever than the coupling position of the fulcrum coupling portion 22a, a lever force point is formed between the proximal end portion of the lever 20a and the displacement output portion 100 at each end of the drive member 1. It is coupled by a plate-like force point coupling portion 23a that can be elastically deformed.

The fulcrum coupling portion 22a and the force point coupling portion 23a have a relatively short plate shape, and are coupled at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the L-shaped first side portion 201 of the first lever 20a.

[0051] The second lever 20b is arranged in the horizontal direction inside the first side 201 of the first lever 20a in parallel with a part of the first side, and the base end side portion thereof is It is coupled to the fixed portion 21 via the fulcrum coupling portion 22b, and is coupled to the tip side portion of the first lever 20a via the force point coupling portion 23b.

The fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b have a relatively long plate shape, and are arranged on the inner side of the second side portion 202 of the first lever 20a in parallel with the second side portion. Is coupled to the base end side portion of the lever 20b at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the lever 20b. Further, the other end of the force point coupling portion 23b is coupled to the tip of the lever 20a via a horizontal portion 221. The other end of the fulcrum coupling portion 22b is fixed on the side opposite to the driving member 1. It is connected to the side of part 21.

The fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b coupled to the proximal end portion of the second lever 20b have substantially the same length as the lever 20b.

[0052] The distal end portion of the second lever 20b (the most downstream lever in the displacement transmission direction) of each lever group X, Y and the movable member 3 are respectively connected by a connecting member 24 that can be elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction. The member 3 is held from both sides by the lever 20b and the connecting member 24. The connecting member 24 is composed of an elastically deformable member such as a plate panel, and a high-rigidity portion 240 (a portion having higher rigidity than other portions) for preventing buckling is provided in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction. Mainly, both side portions of the high-rigidity portion 240 are elastically deformed. In this embodiment, when the distal end portions of the most downstream levers 20b of both lever groups X and Y are moved toward and away from each other, the connecting member 24 is elastically deformed and the movable member 3 is pushed up or down to move. Move member 3 up and down.

[0053] Also in this embodiment, in each lever group X, Y, the fulcrum coupled to the tip end pi of each reno 20 (20a, 20b) and the base end side portion of each lever 20 (20a, 20b). It is preferable that the total force of all the levers of the length of the straight line L connecting the longitudinal direction center p2 of the connecting portion 22 (22a, 22b) is not less than the length in the displacement output direction of the driving member 1. .

Note that three or more levers 20 constituting the lever group X, Y of the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 may be provided along the displacement transmission direction.For example, in the example of this embodiment, the first lever 20a and the second lever 20 One or more levers having the same principle as the first lever 20a may be provided between the levers 20b.

In the actuator of the present embodiment, when a predetermined driving voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element that is the driving member 1, the actuator expands in the direction of arrow (A) due to dimensional distortion, and from the displacement output portions 100 at both ends of the driving member 1. The uniaxial displacement is output to the first lever 20a of both lever groups X and Y through the force point coupling portion 23a (that is, the lever 20a is pushed). Here, since the force point coupling portion 23a is coupled to the rear end side of the lever with respect to the fulcrum coupling portion 22a, the first lever 2 Oa deforms the fulcrum coupling portion 22a while using the fulcrum coupling portion 22a as a fulcrum. Rotate in the direction of arrow (B). By the rotation of the first lever 20a, the force point coupling portion 23b of the second lever 20b is pulled in the direction of the arrow (C), whereby the second lever 20b deforms the fulcrum coupling portion 22b. On the other hand, it rotates in the outward direction (arrow (D) direction) using this as a fulcrum. As a result, both connecting members 24 are pulled outward, so that the movable member 3 held by the connecting member 24 is displaced (lowered) downward. Naturally, when the piezoelectric element that is the driving member 1 is contracted in the direction of the arrow (A), the movable member 3 is displaced (raised) upward by the reverse operation. And The displacement output from the drive member 1 is magnified (amplified) in the process of displacement transmission by the displacement enlargement mechanism 2 as described above, and is more than tens of times the output displacement amount of the drive member 1 (100 times or more in some cases). ) Is transmitted to the movable member.

FIGS. 18 to 20 show another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention, and show a case where it is applied to a lens actuator incorporated in a lens module of a portable terminal. 18 is a perspective view, FIG. 19 is a side view, and FIG. 20 is a perspective view with a movable member attached. In the figure, reference numeral 3 denotes a movable member to be displaced by the actuator, and in this embodiment, a lens holder.

Similarly to the embodiment of FIGS. 15 to 17, this actuator is also deformed by a deformation amount corresponding to the amount of input energy, and the driving member 1 outputs this deformation as a displacement in a uniaxial direction. The displacement expanding mechanism 2 is provided with a displacement expanding mechanism 2 that transmits the output displacement to the movable member 3 while increasing the amount of displacement, and moves the movable member 3, and the displacement expanding mechanism 2 is arranged along the displacement transmission direction. A pair of levers consisting of a plurality of levers 20 arranged, a group X, Y, a fixed portion 21 that supports the lever 20, the most downstream lever 20 in the direction of displacement transmission of both lever groups X, Y, and a movable member And a connecting member 24 that can be elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction.

Therefore, the feature of the actuator of the present embodiment for each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 14 is that the movable member 3 is stably held by having a pair of lever groups X and Y, For example, not only the lever 20 but also the elastically deformable connecting member 24 has a displacement expanding function, so that the entire displacement expansion amount can be increased. However, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 mentioned above, the force S is structured so that the actuator can be thinned in a plane, and this embodiment is for reducing the installation area of the actuator. It is a vertical type.

Further, in the embodiment of FIGS. 15 to 17, the planar shape and arrangement of the plurality of levers 20 of the pair of lever groups X and Y are made symmetrical with respect to the line, but this is made point-symmetric in the vertical direction. /!

The drive member 1 is as described in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, and the drive member 1 of this embodiment is also composed of a piezoelectric element. The drive member 1 (piezoelectric element) of the present invention has a quadrangular prism shape, and causes dimensional distortion (displacement) in the longitudinal direction. Output from part 100 in one axis direction.

The fixing portion 21 has a fixing portion 21 f located below the driving member 1 and a fixing portion 21 g located above the driving member 1. The fixing portions 21f and 21g form a gap with the driving member 1 and are positioned in parallel above and below the driving member 1, respectively.

Note that the fixing portion 21f is fixed to a container that supports the entire actuator. On the other hand, the fixed part 21g may be fixed to the body supporting the entire actuator by being connected to the fixed part 21f directly or via a connecting part, or for the fulcrum of both lever groups X and Y. You may make it hold | maintain at both ends in the coupling | bond part 22b.

[0058] In the pair of lever groups X and Y, the shape and arrangement of the plurality of levers 20 are point-symmetric with respect to the center of the actuator, and the levers 20 on the most downstream side are connected by a connecting member 24. The movable member 3 is held by the connecting member 24.

Each lever group X, Y is connected to each end (displacement output portion) of the drive member 1 in the longitudinal direction at a 90 ° relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction of the drive member 1 and extends upward. 2

0a (the most upstream lever) and the first lever 20a are connected to the tip of the first lever 20a in a 90 ° relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction of the lever 20a, and extend horizontally in a state substantially parallel to the drive member 1. 2 lever 20b (the most downstream lever)!

[0059] In each of the lever groups X and Y, the first lever 20a has a base end portion that is fixed to the fixed portion via an elastically deformable plate-shaped fulcrum coupling portion 22a that forms a fulcrum of the lever. It is coupled to the end of 21f and is thereby supported by the fixed part 21f. Further, at a position slightly closer to the tip of the lever than the coupling position of the fulcrum coupling portion 22a, a lever force point is formed between the proximal end portion of the lever 20a and the displacement output portion 100 at each end of the drive member 1. They are connected by a plate-shaped force point connecting portion 23a that is elastically deformable.

The fulcrum coupling portion 22a and the force point coupling portion 23a are relatively short plate-shaped, respectively.

The one lever 20a is coupled at right angles to the longitudinal direction.

[0060] The second lever 20b is disposed above the fixing portion 21g at the end opposite to the end on the lever 20a arrangement side of each lever group X, Y in the longitudinal direction of the drive member. Yes.

The second lever 20b has a base end portion that is fixed to the fixing portion 21 via the fulcrum coupling portion 22b. g end (the end of each lever group X, Y in the drive member longitudinal direction on the lever 20a arrangement side) and the leading end side of the first lever 20a via the force point connecting portion 23b Is joined to the part.

The fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b have a relatively long plate shape, and one end portions of the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the proximal end side portion of the lever 20b are coupled along the longitudinal direction of the lever 20b. Further, the other end of the force point connecting portion 23b is connected to the lever 20a at a right angle, and the other end of the fulcrum connecting portion 22b is connected to the fixing portion 21g.

[0061] The fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b coupled to the base end side portion of the second lever 20b have a length of several times the length of the lever 20b! /, The

The second lever 20b, the fulcrum coupling part 22b and the force point coupling part 23b coupled thereto are arranged in parallel with the fixed part 21g so as to form a gap.

In this embodiment, the first lever 20a, the second lever 20b, and the driving member 1 form a fixed portion 21g to which the fulcrum coupling portion 22b of the second lever 20b is coupled, while forming a gap. It has a compact structure (folded structure) surrounded by.

[0062] The distal end portions of the second levers 20b (the most downstream levers in the displacement transmission direction) of each lever group X and Y are connected by a connecting member 24 that can be elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction. The intermediate part is coupled to the movable member 3.

The connecting member 24 is made of an elastically deformable member such as a plate panel and is formed in a mountain shape having a very small slope in the longitudinal direction, and has a flat portion 241 at the top of the central portion in the longitudinal direction. Both ends of the connecting member 24 are coupled to the tip end portion of the second lever 20b (the most downstream lever in the displacement transmission direction) of each lever group X, Y, and connect the two. In the present embodiment, the lens holder that is the movable member 3 has a mounting portion 32 protruding from the upper end of a plate-shaped main body 30 having a lens mounting hole in the center, and this mounting portion 32 is the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24. It is connected (fixed) to the flat part 241 at the center in the direction!

In the present embodiment, when the distal end portions of the most downstream levers 20a of both lever groups X and Y are displaced toward and away from each other, the connecting member 24 is elastically deformed to change the height of the flat portion 241. Then, the movable member 3 held here is displaced up and down.

[0063] The lever 20 constituting each lever group X, Y of the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 extends along the displacement transmission direction. For example, in the example of this embodiment, one or more levers having the same principle as the first lever 20a are provided between the first lever 20a and the second lever 20b. May be. The other configurations relating to the drive member 1, the displacement magnifying mechanism 2, and the like are the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS.

In the actuator of this embodiment, when a predetermined driving voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element that is the driving member 1, the actuator expands in the direction of the arrow (A) due to dimensional distortion, and from the displacement output portions 100 at both ends of the driving member 1. The uniaxial displacement is output to the first lever 20a of both lever groups X and Y through the force point coupling portion 23a (ie, the lever 20a is pushed). Thus, the first lever 20a rotates outward (in the direction of the arrow (B)) with the fulcrum coupling portion 22a being deformed as a fulcrum. By the rotation of the first lever 20a, the force point coupling portion 23b of the second lever 20b is pulled in the direction of the arrow (C), thereby causing the second lever 20b to deform the fulcrum coupling portion 22b. However, it rotates in the direction of the arrow (D) using this as a fulcrum. As a result, the distance between both ends of the connecting member 24 is shortened, so that the connecting member 24 is elastically deformed, the height of the flat portion 241 is raised, and the movable member 3 connected thereto is displaced (raised) upward. Naturally, when the piezoelectric element as the driving member 1 is reduced in the direction of the arrow (A), the movable member 3 is displaced (lowered) downward by the reverse operation. The displacement output from the drive member 1 is enlarged (amplified) in the process of displacement transmission by the displacement enlargement mechanism 2 as described above, and is more than tens of times the output displacement amount of the drive member 1 (100 times in some cases). The above displacement amount is transmitted to the movable member.

FIG. 21 to FIG. 23 show another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention, which is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 18 to FIG. 21 is a perspective view, FIG. 22 is a plan view, and FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state in which a movable member is attached. In the figure, reference numeral 3 denotes a movable member to be displaced by the actuator, which is a lens holder in this embodiment.

The driving member 1 and the displacement magnifying mechanism 2 of this embodiment are obtained by changing the configuration of the connecting member 24 from the embodiment of FIGS.

[0066] This actuator is also deformed with a deformation amount corresponding to the amount of energy input, and outputs the deformation as a displacement in the uniaxial direction, and the displacement output from the drive member 1 is displaced. The displacement enlarging mechanism 2 is transmitted to the movable member 3 while enlarging the amount to displace the movable member 3, and the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 is arranged along the displacement transmission direction. A pair of lever groups X and Y comprising a plurality of levers 20 arranged, a fixed portion 21 that supports the lever 20, the most downstream lever 20 in the displacement transmission direction of both lever groups X and Y, and a movable member 3 and a connecting member 24 that is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction.

The drive member 1 is as described in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5, and the drive member 1 of the present embodiment is also composed of a piezoelectric element. The drive member 1 (piezoelectric element) of the present invention has a quadrangular prism shape, and causes dimensional distortion (displacement) in the longitudinal direction, and outputs this dimensional distortion from the displacement output portions 100 at both ends in a uniaxial direction.

The fixed portion 21 has fixed portions 21h and 21i located on both sides in the width direction of the drive member 1, and a fixed portion 21j located opposite to the lever 20 with the installation space for the movable member interposed therebetween. The fixing portions 21h and 21i form a gap with the driving member 1 and are positioned in parallel on both sides of the driving member 1, respectively. Of these fixed portions 21h and 21i, at least the fixed portion 21h is fixed to the body ₇ that supports the entire actuator.

[0068] In the pair of lever groups X and Y, the shape and arrangement of the plurality of levers 20 are point-symmetric with respect to the center of the actuator, and the connecting member 24 is coupled to the lever 20 on the most downstream side. The movable member 3 is held by the binding member 24.

In the horizontal direction, each lever group X, Y is connected to each end (displacement output portion) of the drive member 1 at a 90 ° relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction of the drive member 1 (first lever 20a (most upstream). Side lever) and a second lever 20b (most downstream lever) connected to the tip of the first lever 20a at a relationship of 90 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the lever 20a. .

[0069] In each of the lever groups X and Y, the first lever 20a has a base end portion that is fixed to the fixed portion via an elastically deformable plate-shaped fulcrum coupling portion 22a that forms a fulcrum of the lever. It is connected to the end of 21h and is supported by the fixed part 21h. Further, at a position slightly closer to the tip of the lever than the coupling position of the fulcrum coupling portion 22a, a lever force point is formed between the proximal end portion of the lever 20a and the displacement output portion 100 at each end of the drive member 1. Elastically deformable plate-shaped force point

Combined at the connecting part 23a!

The fulcrum coupling portion 22a and the force point coupling portion 23a have a relatively short plate shape, and are coupled at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the first lever 20a. [0070] The second lever 20b is arranged outside the fixed portion 21i at the end opposite to the end on the lever 20a arrangement side of each lever group X, Y in the longitudinal direction of the drive member. The second lever 20b has a base end portion at the end of the fixing portion 21i via the fulcrum coupling portion 22b (the end on the lever 20a arrangement side of each lever group X, Y in the drive member longitudinal direction). ) And a tip end portion of the first lever 20a through a force point connecting portion 23b.

The fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b have a relatively long plate shape, and one end portions of the fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the proximal end side portion of the lever 20b are coupled so as to substantially follow the longitudinal direction of the lever 20b. .

The fulcrum coupling portion 22b and the force point coupling portion 23b coupled to the proximal end portion of the second lever 20b have a length approximately twice as long as the lever 20b.

[0071] A pair of couplings that can be elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction between the distal end portion of the second lever 20b (the most downstream lever in the displacement transmission direction) of the lever group X and Y and the fixing portion 21j. Member 24 is installed.

The connecting member 24 is made of an elastically deformable member such as a leaf spring, and is formed in a mountain shape having a small inclination in the longitudinal direction, and has a support portion 242 at the top of the central portion in the longitudinal direction.

The connecting member 24 is bridged between the tip side portion of the lever 20b and the fixed portion 21j so that the top of the mountain faces upward. A rigid member 243 for preventing buckling is attached in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24 at intervals, and the connecting member 24 is elastically deformed mainly at a portion other than the rigid member 243.

In the present embodiment, the lens holder that is the movable member 3 has the mounting portions 33 protruding from both sides of the ring-shaped main body 30, and the mounting portion 33 is a support portion in the center in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24. The movable member 3 is supported by the connecting member 24 by being connected to or engaged with 242.

[0072] In this embodiment, when the distal end portion of the second lever 20a of both lever groups X and Y is displaced toward and away from the fixed portion 21j, the connecting member 24 is elastically deformed and support The height of the portion 242 changes, and the movable member 3 held here is displaced up and down.

Three or more levers 20 constituting each lever group X, Y of the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 may be provided along the displacement transmission direction.For example, in the example of this embodiment, the first lever 20a and the second lever 20 One or more levers having the same principle as the first lever 20a may be provided between the levers 20b. The other configurations relating to the drive member 1, the displacement magnifying mechanism 2, and the like are the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS.

In the actuator of the present embodiment, when a predetermined drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element that is the drive member 1, the actuator expands in the direction of arrow (A) due to dimensional distortion, and from the displacement output portions 100 at both ends of the drive member 1. The uniaxial displacement is output to the first lever 20a of both lever groups X and Y through the force point coupling portion 23a (ie, the lever 20a is pushed). Thus, the first lever 20a rotates outward (in the direction of the arrow (B)) with the fulcrum coupling portion 22a being deformed as a fulcrum. By the rotation of the first lever 20a, the force point coupling portion 23b of the second lever 20b is pulled in the direction of the arrow (C), thereby causing the second lever 20b to deform the fulcrum coupling portion 22b. However, it rotates in the direction of the arrow (D) using this as a fulcrum. As a result, the distance between the distal end portion of the second lever 20b and the fixed portion 21j is shortened, so that the connecting member 24 is elastically deformed and the height of the support portion 242 is increased, and the movable member 3 held here is moved upward. Displaces (rises).

Naturally, when the piezoelectric element as the driving member 1 is reduced in the direction of the arrow (A), the movable member 3 is displaced (lowered) downward by the reverse operation. Then, in the process of displacement transmission by the displacement enlarging mechanism 2 as described above, the displacement output from the drive member 1 is expanded (amplified), and is more than tens of times the output displacement amount of the drive member 1 (depending on the case) A displacement of 100 times or more is transmitted to the movable member.

FIGS. 24 to 26 show other embodiments of the actuator of the present invention, which are modifications of the embodiment of FIG. 2;! To FIG. 24 is a perspective view, FIG. 25 is a plan view, and FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a state in which a movable member is attached.

This embodiment uses a connecting member 24 (connecting member 24 that can be elastically deformed in the longitudinal direction) of a type different from the embodiment shown in FIGS. This connecting member 24 is composed of a body 245 made of an elastically deformable member such as a plate panel, and has a small inclination in the longitudinal direction. It has a structure in which the support plate portion 246 that is elastically deformable is projected at the top of the central portion in the longitudinal direction. Note that a rigid member 243 for preventing buckling is attached to a part of the main body 245 of the connecting member 24, and the main body 245 is elastically deformed mainly at a portion other than the rigid member 243.

[0075] The pair of connecting members 24 is constructed between the distal end portion of the second lever 20b of both the lever groups X and Y and the fixing portion 21j so that the tops of the peaks face each other. In this state, the support plate portions 246 of the two connecting members 24 face each other so as to face obliquely upward. The movable member 3 is supported by the connecting member 24 by connecting or engaging the mounting portions 33 on both sides of the main body 30 of the movable member 3 to the support plate portion 246 at the center in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24. In the present embodiment, the top end portions of the second levers 20b of both lever groups X and Y are displaced toward and away from the fixed portion 21j, so that the tops of both connecting members 24 approach and separate from each other. Accordingly, while the support plate 246 is elastically deformed, the movable member 3 is pushed up or down to move the movable member 3 up and down.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an embodiment of an actuator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a movable member removed.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing functions (operation modes) of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

[FIG. 7] Side view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where a movable member is attached in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the movable member in the embodiment of FIG. 9 is attached.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state in which the movable member is attached in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a movable member is attached in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG.

20 is a perspective view showing a state in which a movable member is attached in the embodiment shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the actuator according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state in which the movable member is attached in the embodiment of FIG. 21. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the actuator of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 24 with the movable member attached thereto.

1 Drive member

2 Displacement magnification mechanism

3 Moving member

4 Connecting member

5, 6 Presser spring

7 body

20a, 20b Leno

21, 21a ~ 21j Fixed part

22a, 22b Joint for fulcrum

23a, 23b Joint for force point

24 Connecting members

25 pieces

30 body

31, 32, 33 Mounting part

100 Displacement output section 200 steps

201 1st side

202 2nd side

220, 221 Horizontal section

240 High rigidity part

241 Flat part

242 Support part

243 rigid member

245 body

246 Support plate

X, Y reno group

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A drive member (1) that is deformed by a deformation amount corresponding to the input energy amount and outputs the deformation as a displacement in a uniaxial direction, and a displacement output from the drive member (1), An actuator comprising a displacement magnifying mechanism (2) that transmits the movable member (3) to the movable member (3) while increasing the amount of displacement, and moves the movable member (3).

The distal end portion of the most downstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction is connected to or engaged with the movable member (3), and the movable member (3) is displaced by the displacement of the most downstream lever (20). An actuator characterized by the above.

[2] The most upstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction has its proximal end portion coupled to the fixed portion (21) via the fulcrum coupling portion (22) and the force point coupling portion (23 ) Is coupled to the displacement output part (100) of the drive member (1), and the lever (20) other than the most upstream lever (20) has a base end part at the fulcrum coupling part (22 ) And a fixed portion (21), and is connected to a distal end portion of another adjacent lever (20) via a force coupling portion (23). The actuator described in 1.

[3] The fulcrum coupling portion (22) and the force point coupling portion (23) coupled to the proximal end portion of at least one lever (20) of the plurality of levers (20) are connected to the lever (20) The actuator according to claim 2, wherein the actuator has a length equal to or greater than 1/4 of the length.

[4] The displacement enlarging mechanism (2) is a molded body or / and a laminated body made of metal or / and resin. The activator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the activator is configured.

[5] Of the plurality of levers (20), the parallel direction of the fulcrum coupling portion (22) and the force point coupling portion (23) coupled to the most downstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction is the most downstream side. 5. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is perpendicular to the displacement surface of the lever (20) on the upstream side of the lever (20).

6. The actuator according to claim 5, wherein the drive member (1) and the displacement enlarging mechanism (2) are arranged in a state of surrounding the movable member (3) in a planar manner.

[7] The displacement enlarging mechanism (2) includes first and second levers (20), and the movable member (3) is a drive member.

The actuator according to claim 6, characterized in that at least three sides are surrounded by (1), the first lever (20), and the second lever (20).

[8] The parallel direction of the fulcrum coupling portion (22) and the force point coupling portion (23) coupled to each of the plurality of levers (20) indicates the displacement of the lever (20) upstream of the lever (20). The actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the actuator is parallel to a surface.

[9] The displacement enlarging mechanism (2) includes first and second levers (20), the first and second levers (20), the drive member (1), and the second lever (20). 9. The actuator according to claim 8, wherein the fixed portion (21) to which the fulcrum coupling portion (22) is coupled is surrounded in three directions.

[10] The total force S of all the levers with the length of the straight line L connecting the tip pi of the lever (20) and the center p2 in the length direction of the fulcrum joint (22) connected to the lever (20) S The actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the actuator is not less than the length in the displacement output direction of the drive member (1).

[11] A drive member (1) that is deformed by a deformation amount corresponding to the input energy amount, and outputs the deformation as a displacement in one axial direction from both ends, and a displacement output from the drive member (1) The displacement An actuator comprising a displacement magnifying mechanism (2) that transmits the movable member (3) to the movable member (3) while enlarging the amount, and moves the movable member (3).

The distal end portion of the most downstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction of the pair of lever groups (X) and (Υ) and the movable member (3) are connected by the connecting member (24). An actuator characterized in that the movable member (3) is displaced by the displacement of (20) via the connecting member (24). In the form of any of the following ω to (), the distal end portion of the most downstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction of the pair of lever groups (X), (γ) and the movable member (3) are connected members. The activator according to claim 11, wherein the activator is connected at (24)! /.

(i) A pair of connecting members (24), both sides of the movable member (3) and the leading end portions of the two most downstream levers (20) are respectively connected to the leading ends of the two most downstream levers (20). The movable member (3) is displaced by moving the side parts closer to and away from each other.

(iii) A pair of connecting members (24), which are respectively installed on the distal end portions of the fixed portion (21) and the two most downstream levers (20), and the intermediate portion of both connecting members (24) is the movable member (3) Are connected to or engaged with both sides of each of the two levers, and the most downstream levers (20) are close to the fixed part (21). The movable member (3) is displaced by moving away from it.

[13] In each lever group (X), (Y), the most upstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction has its base end portion fixed via a fulcrum coupling (22) Are coupled to the displacement output portions (100) at both ends of the drive member (1) via the force point coupling portion (23), and the levers (20) other than the upstream lever (20). The base end side portion is coupled to the fixing portion (21) via the fulcrum coupling portion (22), and the tip of the other lever (20) adjacent via the force point coupling portion (23). 13. The actuator according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the actuator is coupled to a side portion.

[14] For each lever group (X), (Υ)! /, A fulcrum coupling portion coupled to the proximal end portion of at least one lever (20) of the plurality of levers (20) ( 14. The actuator according to claim 13, wherein the force point coupling portion (23) has a length of 1/4 or more of the length of the lever (20).

[15] The displacement enlarging mechanism (2) excluding the displacement enlarging mechanism (2) or the connecting member (24) is composed of a molded body or / and a laminate made of metal or / and resin. 11 ~ 14! / Activators as described in somewhere.

[16] The pair of lever groups (X), (Υ) is characterized in that the planar shape and arrangement of the plurality of levers (20) are line symmetric or point symmetric. The actuator according to any one of the above.

[17] In each lever group (Χ), (Υ), a straight line connecting the tip pi of the lever (20) and the longitudinal center p2 of the fulcrum coupling (22) coupled to the lever (20) 17. The actuator according to claim 11, wherein the total length of all the levers of L is equal to or greater than the length of the drive member (1) in the displacement output direction. [18] The actuator according to any one of [1] to [17], wherein the driving member (1) is one of a piezoelectric element, a magnetostrictive element, and a shape memory alloy material.

[19] The distal end portion of the most downstream lever (20) in the displacement transmission direction is connected to or engaged with the lens holder (3), and the lens holder (3) is displaced by the displacement of the most downstream lever (20). A lens actuator using the actuator according to any one of claims 18 to 18, wherein the lens actuator is operated.