Camera actuator, camera module, and camera mount device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12292679-B2
Application number	US-201916967750-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 1, 2019
Priority date	Feb 6, 2018
Publication date	May 6, 2025
Grant date	May 6, 2025

Abstract

A camera actuator is configured to include: a fixed-side member; a movable-side member disposed separated from the fixed-side member in a direction orthogonal to a light axis, the movable-side member holding a lens unit; a first lens drive actuator that displaces the movable-side member in at least a prescribed direction; an elastic support member that extends in the direction orthogonal to the light axis, and supports the movable-side member in relation to the fixed-side member so as to allow the displacement in at least the prescribed direction; and a damping member that is disposed between the movable-side member or a member fixed to the movable-side member, and the fixed-side member or a member fixed to the fixed-side member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A camera actuator, comprising:
a fixed-side member;
a movable-side member arranged apart from the fixed-side member in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis and holding a lens part;
a first lens driving actuator that displaces the movable-side member in at least a prescribed direction;
an elastic support member supporting the movable-side member on the fixed-side member so as to allow displacement of the movable-side member in at least a first direction which is a direction of the optical axis and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and extending in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction; and
a damping member arranged between the movable-side member or a member fixed to the movable-side member, and the fixed-side member or a member fixed to the fixed-side member,
wherein:
the fixed-side member includes bottom part and a pair of side wall parts extending from both end parts of the bottom part to direction orthogonal to an optical axis;
the movable-side member includes a holding part that holds the damping member;
the holding part includes a recess and a protrusion that are provided adjacent to each other;
the damping member is arranged between the holding part a member fixed to the side wall parts;
a first end parts of the damping member in the third direction are attached to the holding part; and
a second end parts of the damping member in the third direction are attached to the member fixed to the side wall parts.

2. The camera actuator according to claim 1 , wherein:
the movable-side member includes a movable-side facing surface,
the fixed-side member includes a fixed-side facing surface facing the movable-side facing surface, and
the damping member is arranged between the movable-side facing surface and the fixed-side facing surface.

3. The camera actuator according to claim 2 , wherein:
the movable-side member includes a plurality of the movable-side facing surfaces,
the fixed-side member includes a plurality of the fixed-side facing surfaces facing the plurality of movable-side facing surfaces, respectively, and
the plurality of movable-side facing surfaces are dispersed and arranged in the movable-side member.

4. The camera actuator according to claim 3 , wherein:
the elastic support member is dispersed and arranged at four corners of the movable-side member, and
the movable-side facing surface is dispersed and arranged at the four corners.

5. The camera actuator according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first lens driving actuator includes a first lens driving coil and a first lens driving magnet,
the member fixed to the movable-side member is one of the first lens driving coil and the first lens driving magnet, and
the member fixed to the fixed-side member is another of the first lens driving coil and the first lens driving magnet.

6. The camera actuator according to claim 1 , further comprising a second lens driving actuator that includes a second lens driving coil and a second lens driving magnet and displaces the movable-side member in a direction orthogonal to the prescribed direction, wherein:
the member fixed to the movable-side member includes one of the second lens driving coil and the second lens driving magnet, and
the member fixed to the fixed-side member includes another of the second lens driving coil and the second lens driving magnet.

7. The camera actuator according to claim 1 , wherein
the elastic support member includes a first fixed part fixed to the movable-side member, a second fixed part fixed to the fixed-side member, and a connection part connecting the first fixed part and the second fixed part together.

8. The camera actuator according to claim 7 , wherein
the connection part is a linear member and includes a first bending part elastically deformable in a length direction of the connection part.

9. The camera actuator according to claim 8 , wherein
the connection part includes a second bending part elastically deformable in the length direction of the connection part in a portion different from the first bending part.

10. The camera actuator according to claim 1 , wherein
the elastic support member is dispersed and arranged around the movable-side member, and a center position of dispersed arrangement of the elastic support member coincides with a center of gravity position of a movable part constituted by the movable-side member and a member displaceable together with the movable-side member.

11. The camera actuator according to claim 10 , further comprising:
an optical path bending member provided at a stage prior to the lens part and bending incident light along a direction of a first optical axis in a direction of a second optical axis as the optical axis; and
an optical path bending member driving actuator displacing the optical path bending member, wherein
the prescribed direction coincides with or is orthogonal to the direction of the second optical axis.

12. The camera actuator according to claim 11 , wherein:
one of the first lens driving actuator and the second lens driving actuator constitutes an autofocus actuator, and
another of the first lens driving actuator and the second lens driving actuator, and the optical path bending member driving actuator constitute a shake correction actuator.

13. A camera module, comprising:
the camera actuator according to claim 1 , and
an imaging element arranged at a stage subsequent to the lens part.

14. A camera-mounted apparatus, comprising:
the camera module according to claim 13 , and
a control section that controls the camera module.

Assignees

• Saito Masahiro
• Mitsumi Electric Co Ltd

Inventors

• Saito Masahiro

Classifications

• G03B2205/0069

  using electromagnetic actuators, e.g. voice coils · CPC title

• G03B2205/003

  by a prism with variable angle or the like · CPC title

• G03B2205/0015

  by displacing one or more optical elements normal to the optical axis · CPC title

• G03B13/36

  Autofocus systems · CPC title

• G03B2205/0053

  Driving means for the movement of one or more optical element · CPC title