WO2014049962A1

WO2014049962A1 - Actuator unit and imaging device

Info

Publication number: WO2014049962A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/005093
Authority: WO
Inventors: 松尾　隆; 豊年川崎; 拓真森川
Original assignee: コニカミノルタ株式会社
Priority date: 2012-09-28
Filing date: 2013-08-28
Publication date: 2014-04-03
Also published as: JP5565540B1; JPWO2014049962A1

Abstract

This actuator unit and imaging device are provided with: an actuator having a moving body that engages with a drive friction member, through which the mechanical energy of an electro-mechanical conversion element is transmitted, at a prescribed frictional force; and a unit body to which the actuator is fixed. The unit body has support columns that are positioned in such a manner as to be in contact with the drive friction member, or are positioned at prescribed intervals that regulate the slope displacement of the drive friction member and the actuator.

Description

Actuator unit and imaging device

The present invention relates to an actuator unit that is suitably used for an imaging device of a mobile phone, for example, and drives a driven body such as an imaging lens, and an imaging device using the actuator unit.

Conventionally, Patent Document 1 discloses an actuator unit that drives an imaging lens.

As shown in FIG. 12, the actuator unit 200 includes an actuator 201 and a housing 202, and is driven by an imaging device 203 (on the right side in FIG. 12) of the unit. The imaging lens 204 is moved along the optical axis O.

The actuator 201 includes an actuator main body 205 and a moving body 230, and the actuator main body 205 includes a drive friction member (drive shaft) 210 and an electromechanical conversion element (piezoelectric element) 211. The drive friction member 210 is a columnar shaft member that extends in the optical axis direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 12). The electromechanical transducer 211 repeatedly expands and contracts in the optical axis direction (that is, vibrates in the optical axis direction) when electric power having a predetermined waveform is supplied. A driving friction member 210 is connected to one end (left end in FIG. 12) 213 of the electromechanical conversion element 211 in the optical axis direction so that the central axis coincides with the optical axis direction.

The housing 202 has an internal space for housing the actuator body 205. This housing 202 is located inside the housing 202 at the other end 214 (an end opposite to one end connected to the drive friction member 210: the right end on the paper in FIG. 12) 214 when the electromechanical conversion element 211 expands and contracts. The electromechanical conversion element 211 is held inside so as not to change the position at. The housing 202 supports the distal end portion (the distal end portion of the driving friction member 210) 215 of the actuator main body 205 so as to be able to reciprocate in the optical axis direction. More specifically, the tip 215 of the drive friction member 210 is inserted into a hole 221 provided in the front wall 220 of the housing 202 so as to reciprocate in the optical axis direction. As a result, even if a force is applied in the radial direction (the direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction) to the tip 215 side of the drive friction member 210, the drive friction member 210 is supported by the inner peripheral surface defining the hole 221.

The moving body 230 includes a moving body main body 231 that holds a driven member (imaging lens) 204 and an engaging portion 232 that extends from the moving body main body 231 in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction. In the moving body 230, the engaging portion 232 is inserted into an opening 222 provided in the housing 202, and moves relative to the housing 202 in the optical axis direction. The engaging portion 232 sandwiches a part of the actuator main body 205 (the driving friction member 210) with a predetermined force. Thereby, the moving body 230 is engaged with the drive friction member 210 by a predetermined frictional force (that is, the moving body 230 and the actuator main body 205 are frictionally engaged).

In such an actuator unit 200, when the electromechanical conversion element 211 vibrates in the optical axis direction (repetitively expands and contracts) when electric power having a predetermined waveform is supplied, the driving friction connected to the electromechanical conversion element 211. The member 210 vibrates (reciprocates) in the optical axis direction. In this case, the movable body 230 moves in the optical axis direction by the engagement portion 232 of the movable body 230 being engaged with the drive friction member 210 with a predetermined frictional force. As a result, the driven member (imaging lens) 204 held by the moving body 230 moves in the optical axis direction.

In recent years, there has been a demand for a reduction in the length of the actuator unit in the moving direction of the moving body, that is, a reduction in the height (shortening) of the actuator unit.

Therefore, in the actuator unit 200, the structure for supporting the tip 215 of the driving friction member 210 in the housing 202 is eliminated, and the length dimension of the actuator 201 is equal to the length of the supported portion of the driving friction member 210. It is conceivable to reduce the height (shortening) of the actuator unit 200. However, in this case, when an impact in the direction from the moving body 230 toward the driving friction member 210 is applied to the actuator unit 200 from the outside, both the moving body 230 and the driven member 205 held by the moving body 230 Since a large impact acceleration (load) based on the weight of the actuator is applied to the drive friction member 210, the actuator 201 is easily damaged.

JP 2007-274777 A

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an actuator unit capable of reducing the height while maintaining impact resistance and an imaging apparatus using the same. It is.

An actuator unit and an imaging apparatus according to the present invention include an actuator having a moving body that engages a driving friction member to which mechanical energy of an electromechanical conversion element is transmitted with a predetermined friction force, and a unit main body to which the actuator is fixed. And the unit main body has a column portion that is disposed so as to come into contact with the driving friction member, or is disposed at a predetermined interval that regulates an inclination displacement of the driving friction member and the actuator. .

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

It is a perspective view of an actuator unit concerning this embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the actuator unit. It is a perspective view of the unit main body of the actuator unit. It is a top view of the said unit main body of the state which has arrange | positioned the actuator main body. It is a top view of the said unit main body of the state which has arrange | positioned the actuator. It is an expansion perspective view of the 1st corner of the unit main body in the state where the actuator main body and the movable body main body are arranged. It is an expansion perspective view of the actuator body. It is a perspective view of a moving body. It is a disassembled perspective view of the said mobile body. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the said actuator unit of the state in which the lens barrel was hold | maintained. It is a figure for demonstrating the adhesion position of a 1st support | pillar part and a drive shaft. It is sectional drawing of the conventional actuator unit.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure shows that it is the same structure, The description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. In this specification, when referring generically, it shows with the reference symbol which abbreviate | omitted the suffix, and when referring to an individual structure, it shows with the reference symbol which attached the suffix. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an actuator unit according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator unit. 3 is a perspective view of the unit main body of the actuator, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the unit main body in a state where the actuator main body is disposed, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the unit main body in a state where the actuator is disposed. is there. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a first corner of the unit body, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the actuator body.

In the following description, the X direction in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6 to 10 will be described as the upper side, and the Y direction will be described as the lower side. The actuator unit according to the present embodiment is used in an imaging apparatus. In this case, the upper side is the object side, and the lower side is the image side.

The actuator unit according to the present embodiment is used in, for example, a camera module (imaging device) that can be mounted on a mobile phone or the like. For example, an imaging lens (driven) Member) is moved (driven). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuator unit 1 includes a unit main body 2, an actuator 3, and a cover 8. In the actuator unit 1, a housing 10 is formed by the unit main body 2 and the cover 8. That is, the housing 10 is constructed by covering the unit main body 2 with the cover 8 and locking it.

The unit main body 2 is a base member that holds and supports the actuator 3, and includes, for example, a base 20 and a plurality of (four in the example of the present embodiment) struts (first to

fourth struts

120a and 120b). 120c, 120d). The unit body 2 is formed of a resin material such as LCP (liquid crystal polymer), for example. The unit main body 2 of the present embodiment is formed by injection molding in a form in which electrode terminals (the first electrode terminal 22 and the second electrode terminal 23) are inserted.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the base portion 20 has a rectangular outline in a plan view and a circular through hole 21 penetrating in the vertical direction in the center portion. The through hole 21 serves as an optical path, and in the following description, an axis that vertically penetrates the center of the through hole 21 is a central axis (optical axis) C.

The base 20 has four corners (first to

fourth corners

20a, 20b, 20c, 20d). In the present embodiment, the specific corner (the lower left corner in FIG. 3) is the first corner (first corner) 20a, and the second corner is counterclockwise in FIG. 20b, the third corner (second corner) 20c, and the fourth corner 20d.

The first to

fourth corner portions

20a, 20b, 20c, 20d of the base 20 are provided with first to

fourth support columns

120a, 120b, 120c, 120d. Specifically, the first column 120a extends upward from the first corner 20a, the second column 120b extends upward from the second corner 20b, and the third A third column 120c extends upward from the corner 20c, and a fourth column 120d extends upward from the fourth corner 20d. On each upper end of the first support column 120a, the third support column 120c, and the fourth support column 120d, a mounting table 120e that abuts against the inner side surface (back surface) of the top wall 81 of the cover 8 protrudes. . The second support column 120 b is configured such that the entire upper end surface is in contact with the inner surface of the top wall 81 of the cover 8. The

respective struts

120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d are in contact with the corresponding inner side surfaces of the respective corners of the cover 8, so that the rigidity (strength) of the casing constituted by the unit main body 2 and the cover 8 is improved. .

The first support column 120a is in contact with the actuator 3. The first support column 120a includes an outer surface 121a and an inner surface (opposing surface) 122a on the surface thereof. In plan view, the outer surface 121a is flush with the outer surface of the first corner 20a of the base 20, and the inner surface 122a is the same along the outer peripheral surface of the actuator body 30 (specifically, the drive shaft 33). It bends in the direction and comes into contact with the actuator body 30 (specifically, the drive shaft 33).

The outer surface 121a has a shallow groove 123a extending vertically as shown in FIG. The shallow groove 123a is coated with an adhesive when a gap occurs between the outer side surface 121a of the first support column 120a and the peripheral wall 83 (side wall 83a) facing the outer side surface 121a due to a manufacturing error or the like. And used when filling the gap.

The inner side surface 122a is in contact with the actuator main body 30 (drive shaft 33) at a plurality of locations (two locations in the example of the present embodiment). That is, the inner side surface 122a of the present embodiment includes a first column side sliding surface 125a and a second column side sliding surface 126a. As described above, the inner surface 122a is in linear contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 33 along the axial direction at a plurality of positions at intervals in the circumferential direction. A part of the force applied to the drive shaft 33 and the stress generated in the actuator 3 (actuator body 30) can be effectively received while suppressing the friction with the inner surface 122a. That is, when the inner side surface 122a and the driving shaft 33 are in contact with each other at a plurality of positions at intervals in the circumferential direction, the driving is performed in comparison with the case where the entire inner side surface 122a facing the driving shaft 33 is in contact with the driving shaft 33. Friction when the shaft 33 reciprocates (vibrates) is suppressed. In addition, the inner surface 122a and the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 33 are in contact with each other at a plurality of intervals in the circumferential direction, thereby improving impact resistance against forces applied to the drive shaft 33 from various directions in the circumferential direction. To do.

In this embodiment, the curvature of the inner side surface 122a and the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 33 are made different so that the inner side surface 122a comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 33 at two locations spaced in the circumferential direction. However, it is not limited to this configuration. The actuator unit has, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of protrusions extending in the central axis C direction are provided on the inner side surface 122a with an interval in the circumferential direction, and the protrusion-direction front ends of the protrusions are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 33. There may be.

The first column side sliding surface 125a is provided at a position substantially opposite to the first moving body side sliding surface 55 of the moving body 4 with the driving shaft 33 interposed therebetween (via the driving shaft 33). The second column side sliding surface 126a is provided at a position substantially opposite to the second moving body side sliding surface 62a of the moving body 4 with the driving shaft 33 interposed therebetween (via the driving shaft 33). . As described above, the column-

side sliding surfaces

125a and 126a are provided at positions substantially opposite to the contact portion between the moving body 4 and the drive shaft 33 with the drive shaft 33 interposed therebetween, so that the drive shaft 33 is connected to the contact portion. When a force is applied from the movable body 4 through the column-

side sliding surfaces

125a, 126a on the substantially opposite side of the drive shaft 33, the applied force can be effectively received, so that the impact resistance is improved.

The first column side sliding surface 125a of the present embodiment is, for example, the side surface of the base 20 on the side where the first column portion 120a and the fourth column portion 120d are provided (the left side surface in FIG. 4). It is a surface along. In addition, the second column side sliding surface 126a is, for example, along the side surface (the lower side surface in FIG. 4) of the base 20 on the side where the first support column 120a and the second support column 120b are provided. It is the surface. For this reason, in the actuator unit 1 of the present embodiment, a load in the direction from the second support column 120b toward the first support column 120a or a load in the direction from the fourth support column 120d to the first support column 120a is applied. Even when applied to the drive shaft 33, this load can be effectively received by the first column side sliding surface 125a and the second column side sliding surface 126a of the first column 120a.

In addition, the first support column 120a is notched at the upper part on the second corner 20b side in order to avoid interference with the guide spring 6 (specifically, the pressing piece 63) (see FIG. 6). For this reason, the first column side sliding surface 125a is in contact with the drive shaft 33 up to the vicinity of the upper end of the drive shaft 33 in the height direction, whereas the second column side sliding surface 126a is in contact with the drive shaft 33. Only in contact with the bottom of

The second support column 120b is provided on the inner side of the outer surface of the second corner portion 20b of the base 20. Specifically, the second support column 120 b is provided between the moving body main body 5 of the moving body 4 and the guide spring 6.

The third support column 120c is formed with a restriction portion groove 29 into which a part of the movable body 4 (specifically, the rotation restriction portion 61a) is fitted so as to be movable up and down. The restriction portion groove 29 is provided on the inner side surface (side surface of the central axis C) 122c of the third support column portion 120c and extends in the vertical direction. Further, the outer surface 121c of the third support column 120c is flush with the outer surface of the third corner portion 20c of the base 20 in plan view.

The fourth support column 120d is configured such that the outer surface 121d is flush with the outer surface of the fourth corner 20d of the base 20 and the inner surface 122d is curved along the moving body 4 in plan view. ing.

The side surface of the base 20 has a locking projection 20f for locking the cover 8 to the base 20 (unit main body 2). The locking projections 20f of the present embodiment are provided on a pair of opposing side surfaces of the base portion 20, respectively.

The base portion 20 includes an actuator holding portion 25 that holds the actuator 3 (actuator body 30) on the inner side (center axis C side) of the first support column portion 120a in the first corner portion 20a. The actuator holding portion 25 is recessed in a cylindrical shape so as to have a predetermined depth from the upper surface 20 e of the base portion 20.

Further, the base 20 has the first electrode terminal 22 and the second electrode terminal 23 described above at the first corner 20a. The intermediate portions of the first electrode terminal 22 and the second electrode terminal 23 are embedded in the base 20 (unit body 2). Then, the

distal ends

22a, 23a of the first electrode terminal 22 and the second electrode terminal 23 protrude (expose) with the side surfaces facing each other from both sides of the actuator holding portion 25 on the upper surface 20e, and the base end side is the base portion 20 The

external connection terminals

22b and 23b are configured to protrude (expose) from the outer surface of the external connection terminal. These

external connection terminals

22b and 23b are connected to a circuit board, a connector, and the like of the cellular phone when the actuator unit 1 is mounted on, for example, a cellular phone (not shown). The

external connection terminals

22b and 23b of the present embodiment are bent through stepped portions so that the lower surfaces of the

external connection terminals

22b and 22b are located on the same plane.

The actuator 3 includes an actuator body 30 and a moving body 4. As shown in FIG. 7, the actuator body 30 includes, in order from the bottom, a weight 31, a piezoelectric element (electromechanical conversion element) 32 that can be expanded and contracted (vibrated) in the central axis C direction, and expansion and contraction (vibration) of the piezoelectric element 32. ), And a drive shaft (drive friction member) 33 that reciprocates (vibrates) in the direction of the central axis C. The actuator main body 30 is fixed to the unit main body 2 so that a part (drive shaft 33) of the actuator main body 30 is in contact with the moving body 4 and the first support column 120a (101 and 102 in FIG. 5 and 103 in FIG. 4). , 104).

By increasing the inertial mass on one end side (the lower end side in the present embodiment) of the piezoelectric element 32, the weight 31 preferentially displaces the piezoelectric element 32 due to expansion and contraction on the other end side (the upper end side in the present embodiment). Preferably, it is generated only on the other end side. The weight 31 of the present embodiment is formed of a material having a high specific gravity, such as tungsten or a tungsten alloy. The weight 31 has a disk shape or a columnar shape that protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the piezoelectric element 32. Note that the weight 31 is omitted when the other end (lower end) of the piezoelectric element 32 is attached to a device that exhibits a function similar to the function of the weight 31 (for example, the unit main body 2 (base 20)). Also good.

The piezoelectric element 32 is an example of an electromechanical conversion element, and repeats expansion and contraction (vibrates) in the direction of the central axis C when electric power having a predetermined waveform is supplied. The piezoelectric element 32 of the present embodiment is configured by a quadrangular columnar stacked piezoelectric element in which rectangular layers obtained by thinly extending a piezoelectric material are stacked in the direction of the central axis C so that an internal electrode is sandwiched between the layers. Examples of the piezoelectric material include lead zirconate titanate (so-called PZT), crystal, lithium niobate (LiNbO ₃ ), potassium tantalate niobate (K (Ta, Nb) O ₃ ), barium titanate (BaTiO ₃ ), Inorganic piezoelectric materials such as lithium tantalate (LiTaO ₃ ) and strontium titanate (SrTiO ₃ ).

The plurality of internal electrodes include a plurality of anode layers of the plurality of internal electrodes on one side of the outer peripheral side surface of the multilayer piezoelectric element, and a plurality of cathode layers on the other side of the outer peripheral side surface of the multilayer piezoelectric element. Each of the layers is configured to extend to reach the outside with a pair of outer peripheral side surfaces facing each other. A pair of

external electrodes

32a and 32a supply the electric energy to the laminated body, and are formed on the pair of outer peripheral side surfaces of the laminated piezoelectric element by a sputtering method such as silver along the laminating direction. The plurality of internal electrodes between the piezoelectric layers are sequentially and alternately connected to the plurality of internal electrodes so as to be connected in parallel.

The lower end surface of the piezoelectric element 32 is bonded to the upper end surface of the weight 31 with an adhesive such as an epoxy adhesive. In the epoxy adhesive of this embodiment, resinous beads having a diameter of about 5 μm are mixed in order to prevent a short circuit with the weight 31 and stabilize the thickness of the adhesive layer.

The drive shaft 33 is a columnar member extending in the direction of the central axis C. The drive shaft 33 is disposed such that a part of the outer peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the moving body 4 and the first support column 120a (see 101 and 102 in FIG. 5 and 103 and 104 in FIG. 4). That is, the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 33 includes a contact surface (contact portion) with the moving body 4 and a contact surface (contact portion) with the first support column 120a. The drive shaft 33 of the present embodiment is made of, for example, carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP, carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic) formed in a columnar shape so that carbon fibers are arranged in the direction of the central axis C. By arranging the carbon fibers in this way, when the drive shaft 33 reciprocates (vibrates) in the direction of the central axis C in sliding contact with the moving body 4 and the first support column 120a, it slides smoothly. The fluffing of the carbon fiber on the surface of the drive shaft 33 (sliding contact portion) can be suppressed.

The drive shaft 33 is formed so as to protrude radially outward from the outer periphery of the piezoelectric element 32. That is, when viewed in the direction of the central axis C, the contour of the piezoelectric element 32 is included in the region surrounded by the contour of the drive shaft 33.

The lower end surface of the drive shaft 33 is bonded to the upper end surface of the piezoelectric element 32 with an adhesive. This adhesive is the same as the adhesive that bonds the weight 31 and the piezoelectric element 32.

When the drive shaft 33 and the piezoelectric element 32 are bonded to each other, the fillet 35 (see FIG. 7) formed by the adhesive protruding from the joint surface between the drive shaft 33 and the piezoelectric element 32 has the drive shaft 33 connected to the piezoelectric element 32. Is formed on the piezoelectric element 32 side because it has a shape that protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery to the entire periphery. That is, the fillet 35 is not formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 33. As a result, the entire area of the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 33 in the direction of the central axis C can be used for sliding with the movable body 4, and a large stroke (movement range of the movable body 4 in the direction of the central axis C) is achieved by the short drive shaft 33. Can be realized.

The actuator body 30 configured as described above is inserted into the actuator holding portion 25 of the unit body 2 (base portion 20) from the weight 31 side. Then, the bottom surface of the actuator holding portion 25 and the weight 31 are bonded with an adhesive, whereby the actuator main body 30 is fixed to the unit main body 2. At this time, the central axis of the drive shaft 33 of the actuator main body 30 and the central axis C of the unit main body 2 are parallel to each other.

The actuator body 30 is connected to the first electrode terminal 22 and the second electrode terminal 23 by a first electrode coupling spring 26a and a second electrode coupling spring 26b so as to be energized. More specifically, one external electrode 32a of the piezoelectric element 32 and the tip 22a of the first electrode terminal 22 are connected via a first electrode coupling spring 26a so that energization is possible, and the other external electrode 32a of the piezoelectric element 32 is connected. And the tip 23a of the second electrode terminal 23 are connected to each other through a second electrode coupling spring 26b so as to be energized. The first electrode connection spring 26a and the second electrode connection spring 26b are torsion coil springs plated with gold or platinum.

Next, the moving body 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the moving body, and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the moving body. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the actuator unit in a state where the lens barrel is held.

The moving body 4 can hold a lens barrel (driven member) 7 (see FIG. 10) and can move relative to the unit body 2 in the direction of the central axis C. More specifically, the moving body 4 includes a metal cylindrical moving body main body (holding portion) 5 and a guide spring 6.

The movable body 5 includes a lens holding portion 54 on the inner peripheral side, and the lens barrel 7 is held by the lens holding portion 54. The lens barrel 7 is a driven member of the actuator unit 1 and holds one or a plurality of lens (imaging lens) groups 71.

The movable body 5 includes a cylindrical portion 51, a first flange 52, and a second flange 53. The mobile body 5 of the present embodiment is formed of a stainless material having a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm, for example. Stainless steel is a material that is inexpensive, has good formability, has good durability, and has good driving performance among metal materials. The movable body 5 is formed by, for example, drawing.

Thus, since the cylindrical moving body main body 5 is made of metal, it has high strength and durability against wear. As a result, the cylindrical moving body main body 5 is thinned and held by the moving body main body 5. It is possible to increase the diameter of the lens group 71 (which is held in detail via the lens barrel 7). Furthermore, since the drive shaft 33 directly drives the movable body 5 that holds the lens group 71, the lens group 71 has a portion that is frictionally engaged with the actuator 3 and is provided separately from the portion that holds the lens group 71. A large aperture can be achieved.

In the cylindrical part 51, a part of the outer peripheral surface constitutes a first moving body side sliding surface 55 in sliding contact with the drive shaft 33. That is, the cylindrical part 51 (movable body main body 5) includes the first movable body side sliding surface 55 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The first moving body-side sliding surface 55 of the present embodiment has a part of the moving body main body 5 (more specifically, a predetermined width in the circumferential direction and the center axis C direction) when the moving body main body 5 is molded. It is a plane formed by making it flat.

The first flange 52 protrudes radially inward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 51. The upper surface of the first flange 52 constitutes a lens barrel mounting portion 52a. In the lens barrel mounting portion 52a, the lens barrel 7 is mounted when the lens holding portion 54 holds the lens barrel 7 (see FIG. 10). As a result, the central axis of the movable body 5 and the optical axis of the lens group 71 of the lens barrel 7 are aligned without tilting each other. Further, the second flange 53 protrudes radially outward from the upper end of the tubular portion 51. The strength of the movable body 5 is ensured by the first flange 52 and the second flange 53.

The guide spring 6 includes an arc portion 61, a guide portion 62 formed on one end side of the arc portion 61, and a pressing piece 63 formed on the other end side of the arc portion 61. The guide spring 6 of the present embodiment is made of, for example, a stainless material having a thickness of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

The arc portion 61 includes a rotation restricting portion 61a at a position separated from the guide portion 62 by approximately 180 ° in the circumferential direction. The rotation restricting portion 61a is a portion for restricting the rotation of the moving body 4 with the drive shaft 33 as the center of rotation. The rotation restricting portion 61a includes a restricting frame portion 61b and a hemispherical protrusion 61c formed on the restricting frame portion 61b.

The regulation frame portion 61b is formed by projecting a part of the arc portion 61 radially outward in a rectangular shape. Further, the protrusion 61c is formed so as to protrude outward from each of both outer side surfaces of the restriction frame portion 61b. The outer width W1 (see FIG. 5) between these protrusions 61c is such that the inner width W2 of the restriction portion groove 29 is such that the restriction frame portion 61b fits within the restriction portion groove 29 provided in the third support column portion 120c. It is set slightly narrower than (see FIG. 5).

The guide part 62 extends radially outward from one end of the arc part 61. One surface (second sliding surface) 62 a of the guide part 62 is approximately 90 ° with respect to the first moving body side sliding surface 55 of the moving body 5 with the guide spring 6 attached to the moving body 5. It has become.

The pressing piece 63 extends linearly from the other end of the arc portion 61. The pressing piece 63 extends linearly from the second support column 120b toward the first support column 120a in a state of being incorporated in the actuator unit 1. The pressing piece 63 includes a pressing portion 63 a that presses the drive shaft 33 at the tip.

The guide spring 6 and the movable body 5 configured as described above are connected by welding. More specifically, the guide spring 6 of the movable body main body 5 is arranged such that the first movable body side sliding surface 55 of the movable body main body 5 and the second movable body side sliding surface 62a of the guide spring 6 are adjacent to each other. It is arranged along the outer periphery. In this state, the guide spring 6 and the movable body 5 are connected by welding a plurality of locations (for example, resistance welding (spot welding), laser welding, etc.).

In this way, the movable body 5 and the guide spring 6 are made of metal and joined together by welding, so that they can be firmly fixed to each other and can be fixed instantaneously unlike adhesion, etc. Tact time can be greatly reduced.

The movable body 4 to which the movable body main body 5 and the guide spring 6 are coupled has the rotation restricting portion 61a fitted in the restriction portion groove 29 of the unit main body 2 (third support column portion 120c), and the first The movable body side sliding surface 55, the second movable body side sliding surface 62a, and the pressing portion 63a are disposed so as to surround the drive shaft 33. In this state, the pressing piece 63 passes through the outside of the second support column 120b of the unit body 2 and extends to the first support column 120a of the first corner portion 20a. At this time, the pressing portion 63a of the pressing piece 63 is in the initial position (the first moving body side sliding surface 55, the second moving body side sliding surface 62a, and the pressing portion 63a do not surround the drive shaft 33). The drive shaft 33 is elastically deformed in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface of the movable body 5 with respect to the position), so that the drive shaft 33 is moved to the first movable body side sliding surface 55 and the second movement by the elastic return force (elastic force). It is in a state of being pressed against the body-side sliding surface 62a. That is, the driving shaft 33 is pressed against the first moving body side sliding surface 55 and the second moving body side sliding surface 62a by the elastic force of the pressing piece 63, and the moving body 4 and the driving shaft 33 are frictionally engaged. ing.

Further, the contact portion between the drive shaft 33 and the first moving body side sliding surface 55 and the second moving body side sliding surface 62 a of the moving body 4, and the rotation restricting portion 61 a and the restricting portion groove 29 of the moving body 4. A lubricant such as oil, grease, or oil mixed with Teflon (registered trademark) flakes is applied to the contact portion. Thereby, the durability improvement of a sliding part and the reliability with respect to adhering at the time of leaving are securable.

Next, returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 8 will be described.

The cover 8 is a member surrounding the moving body 4 in cooperation with the unit main body 2. The cover 8 includes a top wall 81 and a peripheral wall 83 that hangs down from the periphery of the top wall 81.

The top wall 81 has a substantially rectangular outline corresponding to the base 20 in plan view, and has a through hole 82 penetrating in the central axis C direction at the center thereof. The through hole 82 becomes an optical path. The cover 8 of the present embodiment is formed by drawing, pressing, or the like, for example, a stainless steel thin plate of 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm.

The peripheral wall 83 is constituted by four side walls 83 a corresponding to each piece of the top wall 81. In the peripheral wall 83, the inner surface of the top wall 81 is in contact with the mounting table 120e of the first, third, and

fourth support columns

120a, 120c, and 120d and the tip surface of the second support column 120b. Thus, the unit main body 2 is enclosed along each side surface of the unit main body 2 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. Each side wall 83a includes a locking hole 84 that is locked to a locking projection 20f provided on the side surface of the unit main body 2 (base portion 20). Note that the number of the locking projections 20f in the present embodiment is two, and the locking projections 20f are locked in the locking holes 84 of the opposing side wall 83a.

The first column 120a, the third column 120c, and the fourth column 120d of the unit main body 2 are mounted on the upper ends of the column 120e, the upper column of the second column 120b, and the cover 8 The cover 8 is locked to the unit main body 2 by the locking hole 84 being locked to the locking projection 20f in a state where the inner surface of the top wall 81 is in contact. At this time, the upper end surfaces of the mounting tables 120e and the second support columns 120b and the inner surface of the top wall 81 of the cover 8 are bonded (bonded) with an adhesive.

The actuator unit 1 configured as described above may be used in a camera module (imaging device). Such a camera module includes the above-described actuator unit 1, an imaging device (imaging sensor) that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and one or a plurality of imaging lenses. An imaging optical system that forms an image on the light receiving surface, and the imaging lens that moves along the optical axis direction of the one or more imaging lenses in the imaging optical system is attached to the moving body 4 of the actuator unit 1 It is done. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a sensor substrate that holds the lens barrel 7 by the lens holding portion 54 of the moving body 4 and has an IR cut filter 102 and an image sensor (image sensor) 103 on the lower surface side of the unit body 2. 104 is arranged. More specifically, the lens barrel 7 is bonded and fixed to the lens holding portion 54 by the adhesive 73 filled in the bonding groove 72 provided in the lens barrel 7. Thereby, a camera module (imaging device) is configured.

Then, for example, the camera module is carried in such a manner that the external connection terminal 22b of the first electrode terminal 22 and the external connection terminal 23b (see FIG. 1 etc.) of the second electrode terminal 23 are placed on the circuit board of the mobile phone. Installed in the phone casing.

When electric power having a predetermined waveform is supplied from the drive circuit to the external connection terminal 22b of the first electrode terminal 22 and the external connection terminal 23b of the second electrode terminal 23, the piezoelectric element 32 of the actuator body 30 moves in the direction of the central axis C. Vibrate (repeat expansion and contraction). The drive shaft 33 reciprocates due to the vibration of the piezoelectric element 32, and the movable body 4 moves in the axial direction (center axis C direction) of the drive shaft 33 due to the reciprocation. More details are as follows.

When a rectangular wave having a predetermined duty ratio is applied to the piezoelectric element 32, the displacement of the piezoelectric element 32 becomes a triangular wave. By changing the duty ratio of the rectangular wave, the slope (speed) is increased and decreased when the amplitude is increased. ) Different triangular waves are generated. The drive mechanism of the actuator 3 utilizes this.

More specifically, a case will be described in which the moving body 4 moves from the short-distance shooting position to the infinite shooting position. Here, the infinite photographing position is a position (image side end position) closest to the base 20 (imaging sensor 103) in the movement range of the moving body 4 in the central axis C direction, and the short distance photographing position is the movement described above. It is the position (object side end position) farthest from the base 20 (imaging sensor 103) in the range.

First, when the drive shaft 33 is slowly moved downward by the contraction of the piezoelectric element 32, the moving body 4 frictionally engaged with the drive shaft 33 also moves in the same direction (downward as the drive shaft 33 moves downward). ) Then, when the drive shaft 33 is moved upward by the instantaneous extension of the piezoelectric element 32 so as to exceed the frictional friction force, the movable body 4 is left at that position (the position after the downward movement). . By repeating such reciprocation of the drive shaft 33 in the direction of the central axis C, the moving body 4 moves downward.

At this time, since the outer periphery of the drive shaft 33 protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the piezoelectric element 32, when the moving body 4 moves from the short-distance shooting position toward the infinite shooting position, Even if the lower part of the first moving body side sliding surface 55 and the second moving body side sliding surface 62a of the moving body 4 (the lower part of the cylindrical moving body 4) protrudes from the drive shaft 33 toward the unit body 2 side, the piezoelectric element. No contact with 32. That is, the piezoelectric element 32 does not disturb the movement of the moving body 4 in the direction of the central axis C.

Next, the case where the moving body 4 moves from the infinite shooting position to the short distance shooting position will be described. In this case, an operation opposite to the operation in which the moving body 4 moves downward is performed.

More specifically, the drive shaft 33 is slowly moved upward by the extension of the piezoelectric element 32, thereby moving the moving body 4 frictionally engaged with the drive shaft 33 upward. The drive shaft 33 is moved downward by the instantaneous contraction of the piezoelectric element 32 so as to exceed the frictionally engaged frictional force, so that the moving body 4 is left at that position (the position after the upward movement). To. By repeating such reciprocation of the drive shaft 33 in the direction of the central axis C, the moving body 4 moves upward.

According to the actuator unit 1 described above, the first support column 120a is provided at a position facing the moving body 4 across the drive shaft 33, so that only one end of the actuator 3 is attached to the unit body 2. Since it is difficult for the actuator 3 to be damaged when an impact is applied to the actuator unit 1 from the outside, it is possible to reduce the height (shortening) while maintaining the impact resistance.

Specifically, one end of the actuator 3 (the end on the piezoelectric element 32 side: the weight 31 in this embodiment) is attached to the base 20 (unit main body 2), so that both ends of the actuator are connected to the unit main body or the like. Compared to the supporting configuration, the actuator 3 can be shortened, the configuration supporting the other end of the actuator 3 and the like can be reduced, so that the actuator unit 1 can be reduced in height (shortened). At this time, by providing the first support column 120a at a position facing the moving body 4 with the drive shaft 33 interposed therebetween, when an impact is applied to the actuator unit 1 from the outside, the first support column 120a The load applied to the drive shaft 33 from the moving body 4 (impact acceleration based on the weight of both the moving body 4 and the lens barrel (driven member) 7 held by the moving body 4) is received and the load By restricting the tilt displacement of the drive shaft 33 toward the first support column 120a due to the above, the occurrence of stress or the like due to the displacement is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in impact resistance due to the configuration in which only one end of the actuator 3 is supported.

In this embodiment, the drive shaft 33 and the first support column 120a (specifically, the inner peripheral surface 122a) are in contact with each other, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the drive shaft 33 and the first support column 120a may be arranged at a predetermined interval. The predetermined interval is an interval that restricts the tilt displacement of the actuator 3 and is applied until the drive shaft 33 comes into contact with (abuts on) the first support column 120a due to an impact. ) Is an interval at which the actuator 3 is not damaged due to the tilt displacement (for example, damage due to stress or the like). Further, the predetermined interval is appropriately set depending on the size, shape, etc. of the actuator 3, but in the present embodiment, for example, it is 50 μm or less.

In the actuator unit 1 of the present embodiment, the drive shaft 33 and the inner side surface 122a of the first support column 120a are in contact with each other at a plurality of locations (two locations in the example of the present embodiment) in the circumferential direction of the drive shaft 33. Yes. As a result, the friction between the drive shaft 33 and the first support column 120a (inner side surface 122a) when the drive shaft 33 reciprocates while suppressing the contact area between the drive shaft 33 and the first support column 120a is reduced. The force from each direction applied to the drive shaft 33 by the moving body 4 can be effectively received by the first support column 120a (inner side surface 122a) while being suppressed.

Moreover, in the actuator unit 1 of this embodiment, since the housing | casing 10 is constructed | assembled by the unit main body 2 and the cover 8 of the shape corresponding to this unit main body 2, the load which the 1st support | pillar part 120a received ( The load from the moving body 4 and the like applied to the drive shaft 33 due to an external impact) can be received by the rigidity of the cover 8 and the entire housing 10, thereby obtaining sufficient impact resistance.

In addition, the actuator 3 of the present embodiment is configured such that the outline of the piezoelectric element 32 is included in the region surrounded by the outline of the drive shaft 33 in plan view (that is, the actuator tip side (upper side) ) Is projected closer to the first column than the piezoelectric element on the base end side (lower side)). Thus, in order to bring the inner side surface 122a of the first support column 120a into contact with the drive shaft 33, the inner side surface 122a on the distal end side protrudes from the inner side surface 122a on the proximal end side toward the drive shaft 33 (the distal end side is thicker). The base end side does not have to be thin. For this reason, injection molding or the like of the unit body 2 is facilitated.

It should be noted that the actuator unit of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The actuator unit 1 of the above embodiment drives the lens barrel 7 holding the lens group 71 as a drive target, but may drive other optical elements and the like. That is, the driven member that the actuator unit 1 drives is not limited.

In the above embodiment, the first support column 120a and the drive shaft 33 are not connected. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the first support column 120a and the drive shaft 33 are connected by an adhesive 70 or the like. (Adhesion) may be used. In this case, it connects so that the drive shaft 33 can reciprocate along the 1st support | pillar part 120a. More specifically, the amount of the adhesive, the elastic modulus of the adhesive, and the like are set under conditions that allow the drive shaft 33 to obtain a predetermined drive performance. In addition, since the drive shaft 33 of the above-described embodiment performs vibration (reciprocating) whose amplitude is in units of microns, even if the drive shaft 33 is connected to the first support column 120a by an adhesive, the adhesive is a predetermined amount. If it has an elastic modulus, it can reciprocate. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 11, a silicon-based elastic adhesive or the like is used. Further, when an adhesive is poured into a narrow gap between the first support column 120a and the drive shaft 33, the bonding area is increased and the rigidity in the vibration direction is increased. For this reason, instead of bonding the inner surface 122a of the first support column 120a and the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 33, for example, the upper end of the first support column 120a and the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 33 are bonded with an adhesive. Connect. As a result, a gap due to a manufacturing error or the like is generated between the first support column 120a and the drive shaft 33 (specifically, between the inner surface 122a of the first support column 120a and the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 33). However, by connecting the first support column 120a and the drive shaft 33 with the adhesive as described above, the drive shaft 33 is allowed to reciprocate, and the first support column 120a is moved toward the first support column 120a due to an external impact. The tilt displacement of the drive shaft 33 can be suppressed.

In the actuator unit 1 of the above-described embodiment, the unit main body 2 is provided with four support columns (first to fourth support columns 120a to 120d), and the support columns corresponding to the inner surface of each corner of the cover 8 are provided. The parts are in contact and / or bonded, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. A and / or B means at least one of A and B.

The unit main body 2 is provided with at least a first support column 120a, and the first support column 120a is in contact with the cover 8 or in the vicinity of the cover member (with a gap of a narrow predetermined interval from the cover member). It is only necessary to have a shape to be arranged. Even in this configuration, the load received by the first support column 120a from the drive shaft 33 can be received by the rigidity of the cover 8 and the entire casing 10.

However, a third column 120c is provided at a position (third corner 20c of the base 20) facing the first column and the moving body, and the third column 120c is connected to the cover 8. If it has the shape which touches or adjoins, the rigidity of the housing | casing 10 will improve more. Further, in addition to the first and

third column portions

120a and 120c, at least one of the second corner portion 20b and the fourth corner portion 20d of the base 20 has a column portion (second column portion 120b and / or Alternatively, if the fourth support column 120d) is provided and the support column has a shape in contact with or close to the cover 8, the rigidity of the housing 10 is further improved.

Further, the deformation of the cover 8 due to an external impact is further suppressed as the number of the

column portions

120a, 120b,...

In the actuator unit 1 of the above embodiment, the lens barrel 7 that holds the lens group 71 is held by the moving body 4 that is driven by the actuator main body 30, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the actuator unit 1 may be configured such that the moving body itself holds one or a plurality of imaging lenses, and the actuator body 30 drives the moving body that directly holds the imaging lenses.

In the actuator unit 1 of the above embodiment, the drive shaft 33 is pressed against the first moving body side sliding surface 55 and the second moving body side sliding surface 62a by the elastic restoring force (elastic force) of the pressing piece 63 of the guide spring 6. Thus, the movable body 4 and the drive shaft 33 are frictionally engaged, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the drive shaft may be configured by a magnet, and the moving body (specifically, the first sliding surface 55 and the second sliding surface 62a) may be configured by metal. That is, the force that presses the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft against the first sliding surface 55 and the second sliding surface 62a so as to generate a predetermined frictional force is not limited to an urging force such as an elastic force but is a magnetic force or the like. Also good.

This specification discloses various modes of technology as described above, and the main technologies are summarized below.

An actuator unit according to one aspect includes an electromechanical conversion element that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy that expands and contracts, a drive friction member that is fixed to one end in the expansion and contraction direction of the electromechanical conversion element and that transmits the mechanical energy, and And an actuator having a moving body engaged with the driving friction member with a predetermined frictional force, and a unit main body to which the actuator is fixed. The movable body moves relative to the unit main body, the unit main body sandwiches the movable body and the drive friction member between a base portion to which an end of the actuator on the electromechanical conversion element side is attached. A first strut portion extending from the base portion toward the moving body so as to face each other (so as to face the moving body via the driving friction member), and the driving friction member and the first strut portion, Are arranged so as to be in contact with each other, or are arranged at a predetermined interval that regulates the tilt displacement of the actuator.

In such an actuator unit, since the first support column is provided at a position facing the moving body with the drive friction member interposed therebetween, even if only one end of the actuator is attached to the unit main body, an impact is applied to the actuator unit from the outside. When added, the actuator is not easily damaged, so that it is possible to reduce the height (shortening) while maintaining the impact resistance.

More specifically, for example, by adopting a configuration in which one end of the actuator (an end on the electromechanical conversion element side) is attached to the base (unit main body), compared to a configuration in which the unit main body or the like supports both ends of the actuator, Since it is possible to reduce the length of the actuator and the configuration for supporting the other end of the actuator, it is possible to reduce the height of the actuator unit. At this time, by providing the first support column at a position facing the moving body with the drive friction member interposed therebetween, when an impact is applied to the actuator unit from the outside, the first support column is driven from the moving object by the drive friction. The load applied to the member (impact acceleration or the like based on the weight of both the moving body and the driven member held by the moving body) is received, and the displacement of the driving friction member toward the first support column due to the load is received. To suppress the occurrence of stress or the like due to the tilt displacement. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in impact resistance due to the configuration in which only one end of the actuator is supported.

In another aspect, in the above-described actuator unit, preferably, the drive friction member has a cylindrical shape whose axis is a direction from the base toward the movable body, and the first support column is the drive It has an opposing surface that faces the outer peripheral surface of the friction member and curves along the outer peripheral surface, and the opposing surface contacts the driving friction member at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the driving friction member.

In such an actuator unit, while the contact area between the drive friction member and the first support column is suppressed, the friction between the drive friction member and the first support column when the drive friction member reciprocates is suppressed, and the moving body Thus, the force from each direction applied to the driving friction member can be effectively received by the first support column (opposing surface).

In the actuator unit, when the driving friction member and the first support column are arranged at a predetermined interval, for example, when the predetermined interval is 50 μm or less, an impact is applied to the actuator unit from the outside. In addition, it is possible to suitably prevent the actuator from being damaged due to the displacement of the driving friction member toward the first column due to the load applied to the driving friction member by the first column.

In another aspect, the above-described actuator units preferably include a cover member that constructs a housing that accommodates the actuator in cooperation with the unit main body, and the first strut portion includes the driving friction member. At least a part of the surface excluding the contact portion has a shape that is in contact with the cover member or a shape that is close to the cover member (a shape that is disposed with a gap of a predetermined distance from the cover member).

In such an actuator unit, the load that the first support column receives from the drive friction member can be received by the rigidity of the entire cover member and the housing (the cover member and the unit main body), and thereby the impact resistance is improved. .

In this case, in one aspect, the first support column and the cover member are bonded to each other with an adhesive, whereby the unit body (support column) and the cover member are more strongly coupled, and the rigidity of the housing is further increased. improves. Moreover, even if a gap is generated between the first support column and the cover member due to a manufacturing error or the like, the adhesive fills this gap, so that the rigidity of the housing is maintained.

In another aspect, in the above-described actuator units, preferably, the unit main body includes a second support column portion extending from the base portion in the same direction as or substantially in the same direction as the first support column portion, The first strut portion has a substantially rectangular outline when viewed from the direction in which the one strut portion extends, the first strut portion is provided at a first corner portion that is a specific corner portion of the base portion, and the second strut portion is The base portion is provided at a second corner portion facing the first support column and the moving body, and has a shape in contact with the cover member or a shape close to the cover member (at a predetermined interval from the cover member). The shape is arranged with a gap).

In such an actuator unit, in a substantially rectangular housing as viewed from the direction in which the first support column extends, support columns are provided at diagonal corners (first and second corners). As a result, the rigidity of the housing is further improved.

In another aspect, in the above-described actuator unit, preferably, the unit main body includes a third support column extending from the base in the same direction as or substantially in the same direction as the first support column, and the third support column is The base is provided in at least one of the two corners excluding the first corner and the second corner, and is in contact with or close to the cover member (the cover And a shape arranged with a gap of a predetermined distance from the member.

In such an actuator unit, the rigidity of the casing is further improved by providing support sections at three or four corners in a substantially rectangular casing as viewed from the extending direction of the first support section. The deformation of the cover member due to the impact can be suitably suppressed.

In another aspect, in the above-described actuator unit, the drive friction member may be bonded to the first support column with an adhesive so as to be able to reciprocate by transmission of the mechanical energy.

In such an actuator unit, even if a gap due to a manufacturing error or the like is generated between the first support column and the drive friction member, the drive friction member is obtained by connecting the first support column and the drive friction member with an adhesive. The displacement of the drive friction member toward the first support column due to an external impact can be suppressed while allowing the reciprocating motion (reciprocating motion by transmission of mechanical energy). In this case, for example, the distal end portion of the first support column and the drive friction member are bonded.

In another aspect, in the above-described actuator unit, preferably, the actuator is arranged in the electromechanical conversion inside a region surrounded by an outline of the drive friction member when viewed from a direction in which the first support column extends. It is comprised so that the outline of an element may be included.

In such an actuator unit, when the moving body moves due to the reciprocating movement of the driving friction member, the electromechanical conversion element protrudes outside the outer periphery (contour) of the driving friction member as seen from the direction in which the first support column extends. Therefore, it does not interfere with the movement of the moving body due to the reciprocating motion of the drive friction member.

Further, since the drive friction member on the distal end side of the first support column protrudes toward the first support column than the electromechanical conversion element on the base end side (base side) of the first support column, this drive friction member. The distal end side of the first support column that contacts the member can be made thinner than the proximal end (end portion on the proximal side) side, thereby facilitating injection molding and the like.

In addition, an imaging apparatus according to another aspect includes any one of the above-described actuator units, an imaging element that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and one or a plurality of imaging lenses. An imaging optical system that forms an image on a light receiving surface of the imaging element, and the imaging lens that moves along an optical axis direction of the one or more imaging lenses in the imaging optical system is It is attached to the moving body.

Since such an imaging apparatus includes any of the above-described actuator units, it is possible to achieve a reduction in height (shortening) while maintaining impact resistance.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-215680 filed on September 28, 2012, the contents of which are included in the present application.

In order to express the present invention, the present invention has been properly and fully described through the embodiments with reference to the drawings. However, those skilled in the art can easily change and / or improve the above-described embodiments. It should be recognized that this is possible. Therefore, unless the modifications or improvements implemented by those skilled in the art are at a level that departs from the scope of the claims recited in the claims, the modifications or improvements are not covered by the claims. To be construed as inclusive.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an actuator unit and an imaging device using the actuator unit.

Claims

An electromechanical conversion element that converts electrical energy into expanding and contracting mechanical energy, a driving friction member that is fixed to one end in the expansion and contraction direction of the electromechanical conversion element and that transmits the mechanical energy, and a predetermined amount applied to the driving friction member An actuator having a moving body engaged by a frictional force;
A unit main body to which the actuator is fixed,
The moving body moves relative to the unit body,
The unit main body includes a base portion to which an end portion of the actuator on the electromechanical conversion element side is attached, and a first support column portion extending from the base portion toward the movable body so as to face the movable body with the drive friction member interposed therebetween. Have
The drive friction member and the first support column are arranged so as to contact each other, or are arranged at a predetermined interval that regulates the tilt displacement of the actuator.
Actuator unit.
The drive friction member has a cylindrical shape with the direction from the base toward the moving body as an axis.
The first support column has an opposing surface that faces the outer peripheral surface of the drive friction member and curves along the outer peripheral surface;
The opposed surface is in contact with the drive friction member at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the drive friction member.
The actuator unit according to claim 1.
The predetermined interval is 50 μm or less.
The actuator unit according to claim 1.
A cover member for constructing a housing for accommodating the actuator in cooperation with the unit main body;
The first support column has a shape in which at least a part of the surface excluding the contact portion with the drive friction member is in contact with or close to the cover member.
The actuator unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The first support column and the cover member are bonded with an adhesive.
The actuator unit according to claim 4.
The unit main body includes a second strut portion extending from the base portion in the same direction or substantially the same direction as the first strut portion,
The base has a substantially rectangular outline when viewed from the direction in which the first support column extends.
The first support column is provided at a first corner that is a specific corner of the base,
The second support column portion is provided at a second corner portion facing the first support column portion and the moving body at the base portion, and has a shape in contact with or close to the cover member.
The actuator unit according to claim 4 or 5.
The unit body includes a third support column extending from the base in the same direction as the first support column or substantially in the same direction,
The third support column is provided in at least one of the two corners excluding the first corner and the second corner in the base, and has a shape in contact with or close to the cover member. ,
The actuator unit according to claim 6.
The drive friction member is bonded to the first support column by an adhesive so as to be able to reciprocate by transmission of the mechanical energy.
The actuator unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The distal end portion of the first support column and the drive friction member are bonded,
The actuator unit according to claim 8.
The actuator is configured such that the outline of the electromechanical conversion element is included in a region surrounded by the outline of the drive friction member when viewed from the direction in which the first support column extends.
The actuator unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The actuator unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
An image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal;
An imaging optical system that includes one or a plurality of imaging lenses, and that forms an optical image of an object on a light receiving surface of the imaging element;
An imaging lens that moves along an optical axis direction among the one or more imaging lenses in the imaging optical system is attached to the moving body of the actuator unit.
Imaging device.