Patent ID: 12216395

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference signs are used in the same structures in the respective embodiments and the same structures are described only in the first embodiment and the descriptions of the same structures are omitted in the subsequent embodiments.

[First Embodiment](FIG.1ThroughFIG.4, and (a) ofFIG.5)

First, an optical unit in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference toFIG.1throughFIG.4and (a) ofFIG.5. InFIG.2andFIG.3, the alternate long and short dash line with the reference sign “L” indicates an optical axis, the alternate long and short dash line with the reference sign “L1” indicates a first axial line intersecting the optical axis, and the alternate long and short dash line with the reference sign “L2” indicates a second axial line “L2” intersecting the optical axis “L” and the first axial line “L1”. Further, an “R”-direction indicates a direction around the optical axis. In the respective drawings, the “Z”-axis direction is an optical axis direction, the “X”-axis direction is a direction intersecting the optical axis, in other words, an axial direction of yawing, and the “Y”-axis direction is a direction intersecting the optical axis, in other words, an axial direction of pitching.

<Entire Schematic Structure of Optical Unit>

InFIG.1throughFIG.4, a structure of an optical unit10in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The optical unit10includes a movable body14having an optical module12, and a fixed body16which holds the movable body14in displaceable states in a direction (pitching direction) whose turning axis is the “Y”-axis direction and in a direction (yawing direction) whose turning axis is the “X”-axis direction. Further, the optical unit10includes a turning drive mechanism18structured to drive the movable body14in the pitching direction and the yawing direction, and a support mechanism20which turnably supports the movable body14in the pitching direction and the yawing direction with respect to the fixed body16. In addition, the optical unit10includes a gimbal mechanism21in which first support parts19afor turnably supporting the movable body14around the first axial line “L1” are provided in first support part extended parts27a, and second support parts19bturnably supported around the second axial line “L2” by a member on a fixed body16side is provided in second support part extended parts27b(seeFIG.3).

<Regarding Optical Module>

In this embodiment, the optical module12is formed in a substantially rectangular case shape and is used as a thin camera or the like which is, for example, mounted on a cellular phone with a camera and a tablet type PC. The optical module12includes a lens12aon an object side and is incorporated with an optical device for imaging and the like in an inside of a rectangular case-shaped housing12b. The optical module12in this embodiment is, as an example, incorporated with an actuator for correcting a shake of pitching (shake in a turning direction with the “Y”-axis direction as a turning axis) occurred in the optical module12and a shake of yawing (shake in a turning direction with the “X”-axis direction as a turning axis) and is structured so as to be capable of correcting a shake of pitching and a shake of yawing.

In this embodiment, the optical module12is structured so as to be capable of correcting a shake of pitching and a shake of yawing. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, the optical module12may be structured so as to be capable of correcting only one of a shake of pitching and a shake of yawing.

<Regarding Movable Body>

InFIG.1throughFIG.4, the movable body14includes the optical module12, a holder frame22, and magnets24A and24B. The holder frame22is structured as a rectangular frame-shaped member which is provided so as to surround four remaining faces except a front face (face on an object side) where the lens12aof the optical module12is provided and a rear face on an opposite side. The holder frame22in this embodiment is, as an example, structured so that the optical module12is detachably attached. The magnets24A and24B for pitching and yawing corrections are attached to the holder frame22by utilizing outer faces of two faces which face the fixed body16.

<Regarding Fixed Body>

InFIG.1throughFIG.4, the fixed body16includes a fixed frame28and coils32A and32B. In this embodiment, the fixed frame28is structured of a rectangular frame-shaped member128, which is provided so as to surround at least three faces of the holder frame22of the movable body14in a direction around the optical axis (“R”-direction), and an extended part228having a wall part228a, a wall part228band a wall part228cwhich are extended to an outer side along the “X”-axis direction. The wall part228ais a wall part which covers a front face (face on object side), and the wall part228band the wall part228care wall parts which cover in the “Y”-axis direction. In this embodiment, a region of the member128surrounded from three directions by the wall part228a, the wall part228band the wall part228cof the extended part228is formed to be a space (a wall part is not provided).

The fixed body16in this embodiment is structured so that a flexible circuit board51described below is capable of being covered from three directions by the wall part228a, the wall part228band the wall part228c, and the fixed body16is provided with a positioning part52(seeFIG.4) which positions the flexible circuit board51in the “Z”-axis direction. When a cover which covers at least a part of the flexible circuit board51is provided like the optical unit10in this embodiment, the flexible circuit board51can be restrained from contacting with other structure members and being damaged. The extended part228in this embodiment is not provided with a wall part on a side facing the wall part228a. This is because that workability is enhanced when the flexible circuit board51is to be disposed in the extended part228. However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure. For example, a wall part may be provided on a side facing the wall part228a, or a wall part may be attached after the flexible circuit board51has been disposed in the extended part228.

As shown inFIG.2and the like, the coils32A and32B are respectively attached to coil attaching parts28a. In this embodiment, the coil32A and the coil32B are structured to be winding coils as an example. However, the coil may be structured of a pattern substrate (coil substrate) in which a coil is incorporated in wiring of a substrate as a pattern.

In this embodiment, in a state that the movable body14has been disposed in an inside of the fixed body16, the magnet24A and the coil32A and the magnet24B and the coil32B are respectively set in a facing state. Further, in this embodiment, a pair of the magnet24A and the coil32A and a pair of the magnet24B and the coil32B structure the turning drive mechanism18. Corrections of pitching and yawing of the movable body14are performed by the turning drive mechanism18.

Corrections of pitching and yawing are performed as follows. When a shake in both or one of directions of a pitching direction and a yawing direction is occurred in the optical unit10, the shake is detected by a magnetic sensor (Hall element) not shown and the turning drive mechanism18is driven based on the result. Alternatively, a shake of the optical unit10may be detected by using a shake detection sensor (gyroscope) or the like. The turning drive mechanism18is operated so as to correct the shake based on a detected result of the shake. In other words, an electric current is supplied to the respective coils32A and32B so that the movable body14is moved in a direction which cancels the shake of the optical unit10and, as a result, the shake is corrected.

As described above, the optical unit10in this embodiment includes the turning drive mechanism18which is structured to turn the movable body14with respect to the fixed body16with the axial direction of pitching and the axial direction of yawing as turning axes. In this case, it is preferable that the turning drive mechanism18is disposed at a position except a side in the “X”-axis direction where the flexible circuit board51is disposed (except a first intersecting direction side intersecting the optical axis direction) with respect to the movable body14. According to this structure, the turning drive mechanism18is disposed on a side where the flexible circuit board51is not formed and thus, a size of the optical unit10is not required to increase for restraining the turning drive mechanism18from contacting with the flexible circuit board51and, as a result, a size of the optical unit10can be reduced. In this case, the word “turning” in the present specification is not required to turn for 360° and includes a swing in the turning direction.

In this embodiment, a drive source for correcting a shake is not limited to a voice coil motor which is structured of the respective pairs of the coils32A and32B and the magnets24A and24B like the turning drive mechanism18. As another drive source, a stepping motor, a device utilizing a piezo element or the like may be used.

<Regarding Support Mechanism>

The support mechanism20includes a metal plate20a, which forms a protruding curved face in a hemispherical shape toward an outer side of the optical unit10, and a metal plate20bwhich forms a protruding curved face in a hemispherical shape toward an inner side of the optical unit10. The metal plate20ais disposed at two positions facing each other of four corners of the rectangular frame-shaped member128of the fixed body16, and the metal plate20bis disposed at two positions facing each other of four corners of the movable body14in a rectangular frame shape. In this embodiment, the rectangular frame-shaped member128and the movable body14in a rectangular frame shape are disposed so that the positions of their four corners are aligned with each other, and the metal plates20aand the metal plates20bare disposed at four corners one by one.

In the support mechanism20in this embodiment, the first support part19aprovided in the first support part extended part27aof the gimbal mechanism21is disposed on an inner side of the protruding curved face in a hemispherical shape of the metal plate20awhich faces an outer side. The support mechanism20supports the gimbal mechanism21with respect to the fixed body16by such a structure. Further, the second support part19bprovided in the second support part extended part27bof the gimbal mechanism21is disposed on an inner side of the protruding curved face in a hemispherical shape of the metal plate20bwhich faces an inner side. The support mechanism20supports the gimbal mechanism21with respect to the movable body14by such a structure. In other words, the support mechanism20in this embodiment is structured so that the movable body14can be turnably supported with respect to the fixed body16with one or a plurality of directions (at least one of the “X”-axis direction and the “Y”-axis direction) intersecting the optical axis direction (“Z”-axis direction) as a direction of a turning axis. The support mechanism20in this embodiment is structured so that the movable body14is allowed to turn with the axial direction of pitching as a turning axis and that the movable body14is allowed to turn with the axial direction of yawing as a turning axis. However, the support mechanism20may be structured so that the movable body14is allowed to turn in a rolling direction.

<Gimbal Mechanism>

The gimbal mechanism21is a mechanism which is formed by bending a flat plate member made of metal and is provided with a spring property. Specifically, the gimbal mechanism21is, as an example, structured by providing with a gimbal frame part25provided on an object side, and the first support part extended parts27aand the second support part extended parts27bwhich are formed by bending by 90° in the optical axis direction from four corner parts of the gimbal frame part25. In this case, the first support part extended part27aand the second support part extended part27bare not required to be entirely formed in a plate shape, but parts of the first support part extended part27aand the second support part extended part27bmay be formed in a plate shape to provide a spring property. Further, one of the first support part extended part27aand the second support part extended part27bmay be made in another shape (for example, rod shape) other than a plate shape.

<Imaging Element>

As shown inFIG.3andFIG.4, the optical module12includes an imaging element50on an opposite side to an object side. As shown inFIG.4, the flexible circuit board51is connected with a connection part50aof the imaging element50. In this embodiment, the connection part50aof the imaging element50is formed on the extended part228side, and the flexible circuit board51is covered by the wall part228a, the wall part228band the wall part228cof the extended part228in directions other than an opposite side to an object side. In this case, the connection part50afor the flexible circuit board51is not required to be provided in the imaging element50and may be provided in a portion of the movable body14other than the imaging element50.

<Flexible Circuit Board>

As shown inFIG.4, one end of the flexible circuit board51is connected with the connection part50aprovided in the movable body14. Further, as described above, the flexible circuit board51is disposed on the first intersecting direction side with respect to the movable body14. Further, the other end of the flexible circuit board51is positioned in the optical axis direction (“Z”-axis direction) with respect to the movable body14by a positioning part52disposed on the first intersecting direction side. The positioning part52is a plate-shaped member which is attached to the wall part228aso as to have a space therebetween, and the other end of the flexible circuit board51is positioned in the “Z”-axis direction by passing it through the space.

As shown inFIG.4, (a) ofFIG.5and the like, the flexible circuit board51in this embodiment is folded twice so as to overlap with each other when viewed in the “Z”-axis direction. In this case, as shown in (a) ofFIG.5, in the optical unit10in this embodiment, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of a turning axis60of the movable body14with respect to the fixed body16in the axial direction of pitching along the “Y”-axis direction is located within a range “S” which is from the connection part50ato the positioning part52. The range “S” from the connection part50ato the positioning part52corresponds to a bendable range in which the flexible circuit board51is capable of being resiliently bent. Further, accurately, the position in the “Z”-axis direction of the positioning part52means a position in the “Z”-axis direction where the flexible circuit board51is positioned by the positioning part52.

The optical unit10in this embodiment is structured so that a length of the flexible circuit board51can be increased by folding the flexible circuit board51so as to be overlapped with each other when viewed in the optical axis direction, and that a load applied to the flexible circuit board51can be reduced by improving responsiveness to displacement of the flexible circuit board51. In addition, the optical unit10in this embodiment is structured so that the position in the optical axis direction of the turning axis60of the movable body14is set within the range “S” from the connection part50ato the positioning part52and thus, a moving amount of the flexible circuit board51with respect to a turning amount (turning angle) of the movable body14can be reduced and a load applied to the flexible circuit board51can be reduced. As described above, since a load applied to the flexible circuit board51is reduced, a turning amount of the movable body14when the movable body14is turned can be increased without damaging of the flexible circuit board51. In this embodiment, the expression of “position in the optical axis direction of the turning axis60” means a turning center (swing center) of the turning axis60. For example, the “position in the optical axis direction of the turning axis60” corresponds to “a position of an intersecting point with the optical axis in the optical axis direction of the turning axis60”.

In this case, the meaning of the expression that “the position in the optical axis direction of the turning axis60of the movable body14is set within the range “S” from the connection part50ato the positioning part52″ also includes a case that the position in the optical axis direction of the turning axis60of the movable body14is the same position as the position of the positioning part52. However, it is preferable that, like the optical unit10in this embodiment, the position in the optical axis direction of the turning axis60is located at a different position (connection part50aside with respect to the positioning part52) instead of the same position as the positioning part52. This is because that a positional relationship in the optical axis direction is arranged in the order of the connection part50a, the turning axis60and the positioning part52and thus, a distance in the optical axis direction from the connection part50ato the positioning part52can be made larger. Therefore, a length of the flexible circuit board51can be increased and a load applied to the flexible circuit board51can be effectively reduced.

Further, as shown inFIG.4and the like, the flexible circuit board51in this embodiment is branched in an extended direction directing from one end to the other end. As described above, it is preferable that the flexible circuit board51is provided with a branch region51a(seeFIG.4). According to this structure, a load applied to the flexible circuit board51can be effectively reduced. In this case, a size of the branch region51ais not especially limited, and the flexible circuit board51may be branched in the entire region from one end to the other end like the flexible circuit board51in this embodiment or may be branched only in some region. In addition, a plurality of branch regions51amay be provided.

Further, it is further preferable that, like the flexible circuit board51in this embodiment, the branch region51ais structured so that the flexible circuit board51is bilaterally symmetrical along the first intersecting direction when viewed in its extended direction, in other words, symmetric with a center part in the “Y”-axis direction (axial direction of yawing) as a reference. According to this structure, a load applied to the flexible circuit board51can be further effectively reduced. However, a shape of the branch region51ais not especially limited and the flexible circuit board51may be structured to be branched into three or more portions other than two portions.

In this embodiment, as described above, the positioning part52is a plate-shaped member which is attached to the wall part228aso as to form a space and the other end of the flexible circuit board51is positioned in the “Z”-axis direction by passing the other end through the space. In other words, the positioning part52is integrally formed with the fixed body16by being attached and fixed to the wall part228a. When the positioning part52is integrally formed with the fixed body16, the flexible circuit board51can be positioned with a high degree of accuracy. In this case, the expression of “integrally formed with the fixed body16” is not limited to “integrally molded”, and the expression includes a case that the positioning part52is attached and fixed to the fixed body16like this embodiment.

Further, the positioning part52in this embodiment is, as described above, structured to position the flexible circuit board51only in the “Z”-axis direction by passing the flexible circuit board51through the space and thus, the flexible circuit board51can be fixed to the fixed body16(wall part228a) in a state that the flexible circuit board51is allowed to move in the “X”-axis direction (movement in the first intersecting direction). As described above, when it is structured that the flexible circuit board51is fixed to the fixed body16in a state that the flexible circuit board51is allowed to move in the “X”-axis direction, the flexible circuit board51can be fixed to the fixed body16in a state that a stress is not applied.

[Second Embodiment] ((b) ofFIG.5)

(b) ofFIG.5is a schematic view showing an optical unit10in a second embodiment and a view corresponding to (a) ofFIG.5in the optical unit10of the first embodiment. The same reference signs indicate the structure members common to the first embodiment and their detailed descriptions are omitted. The optical unit10in this embodiment is similarly structured to the optical unit10in the first embodiment except a structure of the flexible circuit board51and a position where the positioning part52is formed.

In the optical unit10in this embodiment, the number of folding times of the flexible circuit board51is once. In this case, similarly to the optical unit10in the first embodiment, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60of the movable body14with respect to the fixed body16in the axial direction of pitching along the “Y”-axis direction is located within a range “S” from the connection part50ato the positioning part52.

Like the optical unit10of the first embodiment and the optical unit10of this embodiment, it is preferable that the number of folding times of the flexible circuit board51is once or twice. This is because that man-hours when the flexible circuit board51is formed are restrained from excessively increasing. However, when the number of folding times of the flexible circuit board51is increased, a load applied to the flexible circuit board51may be effectively reduced. Therefore, it is preferable that the number of folding times of the flexible circuit board51is determined in accordance with a use of the optical unit10.

[Third Embodiment] ((c) ofFIG.5)

(c) ofFIG.5is a schematic view showing an optical unit10in a third embodiment and a view corresponding to (a) ofFIG.5in the optical unit10of the first embodiment. The same reference signs indicate the structure members common to the first embodiment and the second embodiment and their detailed descriptions are omitted. The optical unit10in this embodiment is similarly structured to the optical unit10in the first embodiment except a structure of the flexible circuit board51.

In the optical unit10of this embodiment, the number of folding times of the flexible circuit board51is four times. In this case, similarly to the optical unit10in the first embodiment, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60of the movable body14with respect to the fixed body16in the axial direction of pitching along the “Y”-axis direction is located within a range “S” from the connection part50ato the positioning part52.

It is preferable that the number of folding times of the flexible circuit board51is an even number of times like the optical unit10in the first embodiment and the optical unit10in this embodiment. When the number of folding times of the flexible circuit board51is set to an even number of times, in an extended direction going from one end of the flexible circuit board51to the other end, the flexible circuit board51is directed toward a side approaching the movable body14in the first intersecting direction in an odd-numbered folded portion, and the flexible circuit board51is directed toward a side approaching separated from the movable body14in the first intersecting direction in an odd numbered even-numbered folded portion. In other words, when the number of folding times of the flexible circuit board51is set to an even number of times, the flexible circuit board51can be easily disposed at a position separated from the movable body14, and the flexible circuit board51can be easily disposed toward a direction separated from the movable body14and thus, contacting of the flexible circuit board51with the movable body14can be restrained. Further, a degree of freedom of wiring can be enhanced.

[Fourth Embodiment] ((d) ofFIG.5)

(d) ofFIG.5is a schematic view showing an optical unit10in a fourth embodiment and a view corresponding to (a) ofFIG.5in the optical unit10of the first embodiment. The same reference signs indicate the structure members common to the first embodiment through the third embodiment and their detailed descriptions are omitted. The optical unit10in this embodiment is similarly structured to the optical unit10in the first embodiment except a structure of the flexible circuit board51and a position where the positioning part52is formed.

In the optical unit10in this embodiment, the number of folding times of the flexible circuit board51is three times. In this embodiment, similarly to the optical unit10in the first embodiment, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60of the movable body14with respect to the fixed body16in the axial direction of pitching along the “Y”-axis direction is located within a range “S” from the connection part50ato the positioning part52.

[Fifth Embodiment] ((a) ofFIG.6)

(a) ofFIG.6is a schematic view showing an optical unit10in a fifth embodiment and a view corresponding to (a) ofFIG.5in the optical unit10of the first embodiment. The same reference signs indicate the structure members common to the first embodiment through the fourth embodiment and their detailed descriptions are omitted. The optical unit10in this embodiment is similarly structured to the optical unit10in the first embodiment except a shape of the fixed body16, a structure of the flexible circuit board51and a position where the positioning part52is formed.

In the optical unit10in this embodiment, the number of folding times of the flexible circuit board51is three times. Further, the fixed body16is provided with a wall part228don the first intersecting direction side with respect to the movable body14, and the positioning part52is formed in the wall part228d. The flexible circuit board51is passed through a space part53provided in the wall part228d. In this case, similarly to the optical unit10in the first embodiment, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60of the movable body14with respect to the fixed body16in the axial direction of pitching along the “Y”-axis direction is located within a range “S” from the connection part50ato the positioning part52.

[Sixth Embodiment] ((b) ofFIG.6)

(b) ofFIG.6is a schematic view showing an optical unit10in a sixth embodiment and a view corresponding to (a) ofFIG.5in the optical unit10of the first embodiment. The same reference signs indicate the structure members common to the first embodiment through the fifth embodiment and their detailed descriptions are omitted. The optical unit10in this embodiment is similarly structured to the optical unit10in the first embodiment except a shape of the fixed body16, a structure of the flexible circuit board51and a position where the positioning part52is formed.

In the optical unit10in this embodiment, the number of folding times of the flexible circuit board51is four times. Further, the fixed body16is provided with a wall part228eon the first intersecting direction side with respect to the movable body14, and the positioning part52is formed in the wall part228e. In this case, similarly to the optical unit10in the first embodiment, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60of the movable body14with respect to the fixed body16in the axial direction of pitching along the “Y”-axis direction is located within a range “S” from the connection part50ato the positioning part52.

It is preferable that the fixed body16is not provided with a wall part intersecting the first intersecting direction between the connection part50aand the positioning part52on the first intersecting direction side like the optical unit10in this embodiment. As it is clear from a comparison with the optical unit10in the fifth embodiment, the flexible circuit board51extended from the connection part50ato the positioning part52can be restrained from interfering with the fixed body16(for example, with an inner wall of the space part53formed in the wall part).

[Seventh Embodiment] (FIG.7)

FIG.7is a schematic view showing an optical unit10in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The same reference signs indicate the structure members common to the first embodiment through the sixth embodiment and their detailed descriptions are omitted. The optical units10in the first embodiment through the sixth embodiment are optical units structured to include the gimbal mechanism21as a mechanism for moving the movable body14with respect to the fixed body16. On the other hand, the optical unit10in the seventh embodiment is structured to include a pivot mechanism70instead of the gimbal mechanism21.

In the optical unit10in this embodiment, the number of the folding times of the flexible circuit board51is twice. Further, similarly to the optical units10in the first embodiment through the sixth embodiment, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60of the movable body14with respect to the fixed body16(position of a point contact portion of the pivot mechanism70with the movable body14) is located within a range “S” from the connection part50ato the positioning part52.

<Positional Relationship between Turning Axis, Connection Part and Positioning Part in Optical Axis Direction>

A preferred positional relationship between a position of the turning axis60, a position of the connection part50aand the positioning part52in the “Z”-axis direction (optical axis direction) will be described below with reference toFIG.8. InFIG.8, “P1”, “P2”, “P3” and “P4” indicate a position of the connection part50a, and “Pa”, “Pb”, “Pc” and “Pd” indicate a position (positioning position) of the positioning part52.

First, a case that a position of the connection part50ais located at “P1” will be described below. When a position of the positioning part52is located at “Pc” and “Pd”, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60is located within a range from the connection part50ato the positioning part52and thus, a load applied to the flexible circuit board51can be preferably reduced. On the other hand, in a case that a position of the positioning part52is located at “Pa” and “Pb”, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60is located on an outer side with respect to a range from the connection part50ato the positioning part52and thus, there may be a case that a load applied to the flexible circuit board51cannot be sufficiently reduced.

Next, a case that a position of the connection part50ais located at “P2” will be described below. When a position of the positioning part52is located at “Pc” and “Pd”, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60is located within a ranges from the connection part50ato the positioning part52and thus, a load applied to the flexible circuit board51can be preferably reduced. On the other hand, in a case that a position of the positioning part52is located at “Pa” and “Pb”, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60is located on an outer side with respect to a range from the connection part50ato the positioning part52and thus, there may be a case that a load applied to the flexible circuit board51cannot be sufficiently reduced.

Next, a case that a position of the connection part50ais located at “P3” will be described below. In any case that a position of the positioning part52is located at positions of “Pa”, “Pb”, “Pc” and “Pd”, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60is located within a range from the connection part50ato the positioning part52and thus, a load applied to the flexible circuit board51can be preferably reduced.

Finally, a case that a position of the connection part50ais located at “P4” will be described below. When a position of the positioning part52is located at “Pa”, “Pb” and “Pc”, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60is located within a range from the connection part50ato the positioning part52and thus, a load applied to the flexible circuit board51can be preferably reduced. On the other hand, in a case that a position of the positioning part52is located at “Pd”, a position in the “Z”-axis direction of the turning axis60is located on an outer side with respect to a range from the connection part50ato the positioning part52and thus, there may be a case that a load applied to the flexible circuit board51cannot be sufficiently reduced.

A preferred positional relationship in the “Z”-axis direction between a position of the turning axis60, a position of the connection part50aand the positioning part52is described above. However, it is especially preferable that a position of the positioning part52in the optical axis direction is different from a position of the connection part50ain the optical axis direction. For example, the flexible circuit board51is not required to be folded to both of an object side and an opposite side to the object side in order to align a position of the positioning part52with a position of the connection part50ain the optical axis direction, and a length of the flexible circuit board51can be easily increased.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be realized in various structures within a range not apart from the objective. For example, technical features in the examples corresponding to the technical features in the respective embodiments described in the summary of the invention may be appropriately substituted and combined in order to solve a part or all of the above-mentioned objective or, in order to achieve a part or all of the above-mentioned effects. Further, in a case that the technical feature is not described to be essential in the present specification, the technical feature may be appropriately eliminated.

For example, it is preferable that a folding hold part which holds a folded portion of the flexible circuit board51is provided in the folded portion. For example, when the flexible circuit board51is bent at 180° in a folded portion by a folding hold part so that the bent flexible circuit boards51are held so as not to contact with each other, a wiring region of the flexible circuit board51can be effectively reduced, and damage of the flexible circuit board51due to contact of the bent flexible circuit boards51can be restrained.

Further, the imaging element50may be disposed on the first intersecting direction side with respect to the optical unit10in the above-mentioned embodiments, for example, on the first intersecting direction side with the turning axis60as a reference. In this case, the expression that “on the first intersecting direction side with the turning axis60as a reference” means that a center in the “X”-axis direction of the imaging element50is located on the first intersecting direction side with respect to the turning axis60. According to this arrangement, the flexible circuit board51can be shortened in an inside of the fixed body16and a size of the fixed body16can be reduced and, as a result, a size of the optical unit10can be reduced.