Patent ID: 12216327

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Explanation follows regarding an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. Note that although the following exemplary embodiment describes an example of a lens driving device, a camera device, and an electronic apparatus of the present invention, there is no intention that the present invention should be limited to the following exemplary embodiment.

FIG.1illustrates a camera device10according to the present exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The camera device10is installed in an electronic apparatus such as a mobile telephone or a smartphone, and includes a lens driving device12and a lens14mounted to the lens driving device12.

Note that in the following explanation, for ease of explanation an optical axis direction of the lens14is referred to as the Z direction, one direction orthogonal to the Z direction is referred to as the X direction, and a direction orthogonal to both the Z direction and the X direction is referred to as the Y direction. An imaging subject side of the optical axis (corresponding to the upper side inFIG.1) is referred to as the upper side, and the opposite side thereto, this being the side on which a non-illustrated image sensor is disposed, is referred to as the lower side.

The lens driving device12includes a fixed body16and a movable body18supported by the fixed body16so as to be able to move in the optical axis direction. The movable body18is disposed within the fixed body16.

As illustrated inFIG.2andFIG.3, the movable body18includes a lens support body20to support the lens14, and a first frame22configuring a frame that surrounds the periphery of the lens support body20. The lens support body20and the first frame22each have a substantially rectangular external profile as viewed from above.

A lens attachment hole24with a circular shape when viewed along the Z direction is formed penetrating through the inside of the lens support body20from the upper side to the lower side. The lens14is attached in the lens attachment hole24.

The first frame22includes the first movable body plate26, the second movable body plate28, and the first cover30each having a substantially rectangular external profile as viewed from above. The first movable body plate26and the second movable body plate28are, for example, formed from an engineering plastic such as a liquid crystal polymer (LCP), a polyacetal, a polyamide, a polycarbonate, a modified polyphenylene ether, a polybutylene terephthalate, or the like. The first cover30is formed from a metal, for example. Openings32,34,36are respectively formed so as to penetrate through the first movable body plate26, the second movable body plate28, and the first cover30from the upper side to the lower side so as to allow light to pass through. The openings32,34,36are each a substantially circular shape.

The first frame22supports the lens support body20so as to allow the lens support body20to move in both the X direction, corresponding to a first direction, and the Y direction, corresponding to a second direction. Specifically, the lens support body20and the first frame22are provided with an orthogonal direction guide mechanism38configuring a guide mechanism, and support the lens support body20with respect to the second movable body plate28, this being a specific member configuring a frame, such that the lens support body20is able to move in both the X direction and the Y direction. The orthogonal direction guide mechanism38is configured by a first guide mechanism40provided on one side (a lower side) in the Z direction, and a second guide mechanism42provided on the other side (an upper side) in the Z direction.

The first guide mechanism40is configured by lower side guide projections44formed protruding in a −Z direction from a lower face of the first movable body plate26, and lower side guide grooves46formed recessed toward the −Z direction in an upper face of the second movable body plate28so as to allow the lower side guide projections to fit therein. The lower side guide projections44and the lower side guide grooves46are each formed so as to extend along the X direction in the vicinities of the four corners of the first movable body plate26and the second movable body plate28.

Since the lower side guide projections44and the lower side guide grooves46each extend along the X direction, relative movement is possible in the X direction only, whereas movement in the Y direction is restricted. Accordingly, the first movable body plate26is able to move in the X direction only with respect to the second movable body plate28, and is restricted from moving in the Y direction. Namely, the first guide mechanism40enables the lens support body20to move together with the first movable body plate26in the X direction with respect to the second movable body plate28.

The lower side guide projections44and the lower side guide grooves46are disposed on one side and the other side in the Y direction, this being a direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the first movable body plate26. Specifically, the lower side guide projections44include two lower side guide projections44A,44A provided on the one side in the Y direction (a −Y side), and two lower side guide projections44B,44B provided on the other side in the Y direction (a +Y side). The lower side guide grooves46include two lower side guide grooves46A,46A provided on the one side in the Y direction, and two lower side guide grooves46B,46B provided on the other side in the Y direction.

As illustrated inFIG.7AandFIG.8B, as viewed along the X direction, the lower side guide grooves46A,46A on the one side in the Y direction each have a V-shaped profile inclined so as to narrow in width on progression toward the groove bottoms with the widths of the lower side guide grooves46A,46A decreasing on progression toward their groove bottoms. The lower side guide projections44A,44A each have a semicircular profile. Accordingly, arc shaped portions of the lower side guide projections44A,44A and linear portions of the lower side guide grooves46A,46A make line contact with one another at two locations each. A space is formed between the lower side guide grooves46A,46A and the corresponding lower side guide projections44A,44A in a region between the positions of the two locations of line contact and the corresponding groove bottom. The lower side guide projections44A,44A may each have a rectangular cross-section profile, in which case the lower side guide grooves46A,46A may each have either a V-shaped or a U-shaped cross-section profile. By making line contact at two locations, the Y direction positions of the lower side guide projections44A,44A are precisely defined with respect to the lower side guide grooves46A,46A.

As illustrated inFIG.7AandFIG.8A, as viewed along the X direction, the lower side guide projections44B,44B and the lower side guide grooves46B,46B on the other side in the Y direction each have a rectangular profile. Namely, groove bottoms of the lower side guide grooves46B,46B include planar faces extending in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the lower side guide projections44B,44B and the lower side guide grooves46B,46B extend, and the lower side guide projections44B,44B includes planar faces that make face-to-face contact with these planar faces. Accordingly, the lower side guide projections44B,44B and the lower side guide grooves46B,46B on the other side in the Y direction make face-to-face contact with each other. This enables the Z direction height of the first movable body plate26to be defined with respect to the second movable body plate28. The planar faces of the lower side guide grooves46B,46B are wider than the lower side guide projections44B,44B. Accordingly, assembly is still possible even if tolerances during manufacturing result in a difference between the distance between the lower side guide projections44A,44A and the lower side guide projections44B,44B and the distance between the lower side guide grooves46A,46A and the lower side guide grooves46B,46B, enabling the first movable body plate26to still move smoothly.

The second guide mechanism42is configured from upper side guide projections48formed protruding in a +Z direction from an upper face of the first movable body plate26, and upper side guide grooves50formed recessed toward the +Z direction in a lower face of the lens support body20so as to allow the upper side guide projections48to fit therein. The upper side guide projections48and the upper side guide grooves50are formed so as to extend along the Y direction in the vicinities of the four corners of the first movable body plate26and the lens support body20.

Since the upper side guide projections48and the upper side guide grooves50extend along the Y direction, relative movement is permitted in the Y direction only, and movement in the X direction is restricted. Accordingly, the lens support body20is able to move in the Y direction only with respect to the first movable body plate26, and is restricted from moving in the X direction. Namely, the second guide mechanism42enables the lens support body20to move in the Y direction with respect to the first movable body plate26. The lens support body20is accordingly able to move in both the X direction and the Y direction with respect to the second movable body plate28. Moreover, the first guide mechanism40and the second guide mechanism42configure independent guide mechanisms, and force is not applied in a rotation direction about the Z direction even if drive is performed simultaneously in the X and Y directions, thereby enabling the lens support body20to be prevented from oscillating in the rotation direction.

The upper side guide projections48and the upper side guide grooves50are disposed on one side and the other side in the X direction, this being a direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the lens support body20. Specifically, the upper side guide projections48include two upper side guide projections48A,48A provided on the one side in the X direction (a −X side), and two upper side guide projections48B,48B provided on the other side in the X direction (a +X side). The upper side guide grooves50include two upper side guide grooves50A,50A provided on the one side in the X direction, and two upper side guide grooves50B,50B provided on the other side in the X direction.

As illustrated inFIG.7BandFIG.9A, as viewed along the Y direction, the upper side guide grooves50A,50A on the one side in the X direction each have a V-shaped profile inclined so as to narrow in width on progression toward the groove bottoms with the widths of the upper side guide grooves50A,50A decreasing on progression toward their groove bottoms. The upper side guide projections48A,48A each have a semicircular profile. Accordingly, arc shaped portions of the upper side guide projections48A,48A and linear portions of the upper side guide grooves50A,50A make line contact with one another at two locations each. A space is formed between the upper side guide projections48A,48A and the corresponding upper side guide grooves50A,50A in a region between the positions of the two locations of line contact and the corresponding groove bottom. The upper side guide projections48A,48A may each have a rectangular cross-section profile, in which case the upper side guide grooves50A,50A may each have either a V-shaped or a U-shaped cross-section profile. By making line contact at two locations each, the X direction positions of the upper side guide grooves50A,50A are precisely defined with respect to the upper side guide projections48A,48A.

As illustrated inFIG.7BandFIG.9B, as viewed along the Y direction, the upper side guide projections48B,48B and the upper side guide grooves50B,50B on the other side in the X direction each have a rectangular profile. Namely, groove bottoms of the upper side guide grooves50B,50B include planar faces extending in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the upper side guide projections48B,48B and the upper side guide grooves50B,50B extend, and the upper side guide projections48B,48B include planar faces that make face-to-face contact with these planar faces. Accordingly, the upper side guide projections48B,48B and the upper side guide grooves50B,50B that are on the other side in the X direction make face-to-face contact with each other. This enables the Z direction height of the lens support body20to be defined with respect to the first movable body plate26. The planar faces of the upper side guide grooves50B,50B are wider than the upper side guide projections48B,48B. Accordingly, assembly is still possible even if tolerances during manufacturing result a difference between the distance between the upper side guide projections48A,48A and the upper side guide projections48B,48B and the distance between the upper side guide grooves50A,50A and the upper side guide grooves50B,50B, enabling the lens support body20to be moved smoothly.

A plate shaped first magnet52and a plate shaped second magnet54are fixed to outer sides of the lens support body20. The first magnet52is disposed with its plate faces facing along the Y direction on the one side in the Y direction, this being the side where the lower side guide projections44A,44A and the lower side guide grooves46A,46A make line contact with each other. The second magnet54is disposed with its plate faces facing along the X direction on the one side in the X direction, this being the side where the upper side guide projections48A,48A and the upper side guide grooves50A,50A make line contact with each other. The S pole of the first magnet52is provided on one of the plate faces facing in the Y direction, and the N pole is provided on the other of these plate faces. The S pole of the second magnet54is provided on one of the plate faces facing in the X direction, and the N pole is provided on the other of these plate faces.

A first magnetic member56and a second magnetic member58, each configured by a magnetic body, are disposed at a lower face of the second movable body plate28. The first magnetic member56is disposed on the one side in the Y direction so as to run along the X direction parallel to the first magnet52. The second magnetic member58is disposed on the one side in the X direction so as to run along the Y direction parallel to the second magnet54. Accordingly, the first magnetic member56opposes the first magnet52in the Z direction across the second movable body plate28, and similarly the second magnetic member58opposes the second magnet54in the Z direction across the second movable body plate28.

The first magnet52and the first magnetic member56on the one side in the Y direction are disposed between a set of one of the lower side guide projections44A and one of the lower side guide grooves46A and a set of the other of the lower side guide projections44A and the other of the lower side guide grooves46A, and attract one another. The lower side guide projections44A,44A and the lower side guide grooves46A,46A that are in line contact with one another accordingly make firmer contact with one another than they would were the first magnet52and the first magnetic member56to be disposed at other positions, enabling more precise positioning to be performed in the Y direction.

The second magnet54and the second magnetic member58on the one side in the X direction are disposed between a set of one of the upper side guide projections48A and one of the upper side guide grooves50A and a set of the other of the upper side guide projections48A and the other of the upper side guide grooves50A, and attract one another. The upper side guide grooves50A,50A and the upper side guide projections48A,48A that are in line contact with one another accordingly make firmer contact with one another than they would were the second magnet54and the second magnetic member58to be disposed at other positions, enabling more precise positioning to be performed in the X direction.

Attachment portions60are provided extending downward in the Z direction at the four corners of the first cover30. Each of the attachment portions60is formed with a rectangular attachment hole62. Counterpart attachment portions64are formed protruding sideways at the four corners of the second movable body plate28. The counterpart attachment portions64fit into the respective attachment holes62so as to fix the first cover30to the second movable body plate28. Note that as illustrated inFIG.7AandFIG.7B, a minimum required gap to allow for error arising due to tolerance or the like is present between a lower face of the first cover30and an upper face of the lens support body20. The lens support body20, the first movable body plate26, and the second movable body plate28are thus restricted from moving excessively away from one another even when subjected to shock.

A plate shaped third magnet66is fixed to an outer face on the +Y side of the second movable body plate28, this being the opposite side to the side where the first magnet52is provided. Plate faces of the third magnet66face in the Y direction. The third magnet66is divided into two parts, namely a Z direction upper side part and a Z direction lower side part. The S pole and the N pole are provided at the plate faces of the third magnet66and are disposed such that their polarities are opposite above and below.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the fixed body16includes a second frame68provided with a base80and a second cover82, a third magnetic member70attached to the second frame68, a first coil72, a second coil74, a third coil76, and a flexible printed substrate78. The base80and the second cover82are each configured from a resin or a non-magnetic metal, and each have a rectangular profile as viewed along the Z direction from above. The second cover82is fitted over the outside of the base80in order to configure the second frame68. The second frame68surrounds the periphery of the first frame22of the movable body18. The base80and the second cover82are formed with respective through holes84,86to allow light to pass or to allow insertion of the lens14.

As illustrated inFIG.1andFIG.4, openings88that are open toward the Z direction upper side are respectively formed in the four side faces of the base80. The above-mentioned flexible printed substrate78is disposed so as to surround three of the side faces of the base80. Namely, the flexible printed substrate78is folded in an angular C shape so as to enclose the two side faces of the base80that run orthogonally to the Y direction and one of the side faces (the side face on the −X side) of the base80that runs orthogonally to the X direction.

The first coil72and the third coil76are fixed at the inside of the flexible printed substrate78to the two faces that run orthogonally to the Y direction, and the second coil74is fixed to the one face that runs orthogonally to the X direction. A Z direction lower portion of the flexible printed substrate78is provided with terminals90, and current supply, signal output, and the like are performed through the terminals90.

As illustrated inFIG.5, a Y direction position detection element92is disposed at the inside of the flexible printed substrate78at a center side of the first coil72, an X direction position detection element94is disposed at a center side of the second coil74, and a Z direction position detection element96is disposed at a position adjacent to the third coil76.

The first coil72and the Y direction position detection element92are disposed inside the corresponding opening88so as face toward the inside of the base80and oppose the first magnet52. Similarly, the second coil74and the X direction position detection element94are disposed inside the corresponding opening88so as to oppose the second magnet54. The third coil76and the Z direction position detection element96are disposed inside the corresponding opening88so as to oppose the third magnet66.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the third magnetic member70that is configured by a magnetic body is disposed at the outer side of a portion of the flexible printed substrate78to which the third coil76is fixed so as to be parallel to the third coil76. The third magnetic member70is fixed so as to be placed in close contact with a side face of the base80with the flexible printed substrate78interposed therebetween. The third magnetic member70thereby opposes the third magnet66across the flexible printed substrate78and the third coil76.

Magnetic flux from the third magnet66flows in the third magnetic member70, causing an attraction force to arise between the third magnet66and the third magnetic member70. An attraction force accordingly acts on the movable body18in the Y direction with respect to the fixed body16.

The third magnetic member70is formed with two divided openings1X),100that are divided into two parts in the X direction by a coupling portion98extending along the Z direction. The coupling portion98may extend along the X direction, in which case the divided openings100,100would be divided into two parts in the Z direction. The third magnetic member70is formed from magnetic stainless steel or plated iron. By forming the third magnetic member70with the divided openings100,100, the attraction force between the third magnet66and the third magnetic member70can be adjusted to a desired strength. Namely, the attraction force between the third magnet66and the third magnetic member70can be set so as to be comparatively weak in comparison to a Z direction drive force between the third coil76and the third magnet66. This enables the drive force required for Z direction movement to be made smaller, and also enables the damage imparted to an optical axis direction guide mechanism102, described later, when subjected to external shock, to be reduced.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the movable body18is supported by the optical axis direction guide mechanism102so as to be able to move in the Z direction with respect to the fixed body16. Namely, the optical axis direction guide mechanism102guides the first frame22so as to allow movement along the Z axis direction with respect to the second frame68. Namely, the lens support body20is thereby guided so as to be able to move along the optical axis direction together with the first frame22. The optical axis direction guide mechanism102is configured by a third guide mechanism104and a fourth guide mechanism106. The third guide mechanism104is configured by a +X side guide shaft108provided to the second frame68and a +X side guide hole110provided to the movable body18so as to house the +X side guide shaft108. The fourth guide mechanism106is configured by a −X side guide shaft112provided to the second frame68and a −X side guide groove114provided to the movable body18.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the +X side guide shaft108and the −X side guide shaft112are each formed as circular columns extending along the Z direction, and are for example formed from a ceramic, a metal, or a resin. The +X side guide shaft108and the −X side guide shaft112are each disposed in the vicinity of an inside corner of the side face of the base80where the third coil76is disposed. Note that although the +X side guide shaft108and the −X side guide shaft112each have a circular profile in a cross-section sectioned along the X-Y direction plane, this circular profile may be provided locally, or an elliptical profile may be adopted. A polygonal profile such as a rectangular profile may also be adopted.

Lower side fixing portions116,116are provided to a bottom face at the periphery of the through hole84in the base80at the vicinity of the corners of the side face where the third coil76is disposed. Each of the lower side fixing portions116,116is formed with a cylindrical shaped insertion groove. Lower ends of the +X side guide shaft108and the −X side guide shaft112are inserted into the respective lower side fixing portions116,116and fixed thereto. Both X direction ends of an upper end of the third magnetic member70described above are formed with upper side fixing portions118,118that are folded in the Y direction. An insertion hole120is formed through each of the upper side fixing portions118. Upper ends of the +X side guide shaft108and the −X side guide shaft112are inserted into the respective insertion holes120,120and fixed thereto. The +X side guide shaft108and the −X side guide shaft112are thus fixed to the base80. The third magnetic member70thereby performs an additional function of supporting the +X side guide shaft108and the −X side guide shaft112, enabling the number of components to be reduced in comparison to cases in which this support function is performed by a separate component, and enabling the +X side guide shaft108and the −X side guide shaft112to be stably supported.

As illustrated inFIG.2andFIG.6, the +X side guide hole110is formed as a hollow through hole penetrating the second movable body plate28from a Z direction upper face to a Z direction lower face thereof. On the other hand, the −X side guide groove114extends so as to penetrate the second movable body plate28from the Z direction upper face to the Z direction lower face, and is formed as a groove opening toward the exterior in the −X direction.

As illustrated inFIG.6andFIG.10, in cross-section viewed along an X-Y plane, the −Y side of the +X side guide hole110has a V-shaped profile opening toward the +Y side, this being the fixed body side, and the +Y side of the +X side guide hole110has a rectangular profile. Note that the +Y side may have a semicircular cross-section profile.

The attraction force between the third magnet66attached to the movable body18and the third magnetic member70draws the movable body18in the +Y direction. Accordingly, at least guide faces110A,110A forming the V-shaped profile on the −Y side of the +X side guide hole110make line contact with an outer surface of the +X side guide shaft108at two locations as viewed along the Z direction. This enables the movable body18to be positioned accurately with respect to the fixed body16in both the X direction and the Y direction. Note that although it is desirable for the rectangular portion of the +X side guide hole110to be provided with a minute gap to the outer surface of the +X side guide shaft108such that the two do not make line contact with each other, line contact is also acceptable therebetween.

In an X-Y plane cross-section, the −X side guide groove114is configured by two wall faces opposing each other in the Y direction. These two wall faces are respectively formed with protrusions114A,114A, each with a curved face profile protruding in the Y direction. As illustrated inFIG.10, the center of at least the protrusion114A on the −Y side contacts an outer surface of the −X side guide shaft112. Namely, the −X side guide groove114and the −X side guide shaft112make point contact with each other at least at one point, such that frictional resistance therebetween is lower. Note that although it is desirable for the protrusion114A on the +Y side to be provided with a minute gap to the outer surface of the −X side guide shaft112such that the two do not make point contact, line contact is also acceptable therebetween. In this manner, the movable body18is pressed by magnetic force against the +X side guide shaft108and the −X side guide shaft112, and so the movable body18does not tilt with respect to the +X side guide shaft108and the −X side guide shaft112. Note that an increase in the size of the lens14leads to an increase in the weight of the movable body18installed with the lens14. In such cases, there has hitherto been a need to increase the required attraction force from this magnetic force, with the result that frictional force increases and drive force has had to be increased by at least an amount commensurate with the increase in the weight of the lens. However, in the present exemplary embodiment, employing the guide shaft structure obviates the need to increase the required attraction force using magnetic force, enabling the drive force to be kept small.

In the lens driving device12, the first magnet52and the first coil72configure a drive mechanism to move the lens support body20along the Y axis direction with respect to the second movable body plate28. When the first coil72is supplied with an electricity, a current flows in the X direction in the first coil72. Since the first magnet52opposing the first coil72generates magnetic flux with a Z direction component, a Lorentz force acts on the first coil72in the Y direction. Since the first coil72is fixed to the base80, a reaction acting on the first magnet52acts as a drive force on the lens support body20. The lens support body20accordingly moves in the Y direction, guided by the second guide mechanism42.

After the lens support body20has moved in the Y direction, a current supply to the first coil72is turned off. When this is performed, the lens support body20stops at its position of the current supply to the first coil72being tuned off due to the attraction force between the first magnet52and the first magnetic member56, the attraction force between the second magnet54and the second magnetic member58, friction between the lower side guide projections44and the lower side guide grooves46, and friction between the upper side guide projections48and the upper side guide grooves50.

Moreover, the second magnet54and the second coil74configure a drive mechanism to move the lens support body20together with the first movable body plate26along the X axis direction with respect to the second movable body plate28. When the second coil74is supplied with an electricity, a current flows in the Y direction in the second coil74. Since the second magnet54opposing the second coil74generates magnetic flux having a Z direction component, a Lorentz force acts on the second coil74in the X direction. Since the second coil74is fixed to the base80, a repulsion effect acting on the second magnet54acts as a drive force on the lens support body20and the first movable body plate26. The lens support body20and the first movable body plate26accordingly move in the X direction, guided by the first guide mechanism40.

After the lens support body20and the first movable body plate26have moved in the X direction, a current supply to the second coil74is turned off. When this is performed, the lens support body20together with the first movable body plate26stop at their positions of the current supply to the second coil74being turned off due to the attraction force between the first magnet52and the first magnetic member56, the attraction force between the second magnet54and the second magnetic member58, friction between the lower side guide projections44and the lower side guide grooves46, and friction between the upper side guide projections48and the upper side guide grooves50.

The third magnet66, the third coil76, and the third magnetic member70configure a drive mechanism to move the movable body18in the optical axis direction with respect to the fixed body16. When the third coil76is supplied with an electricity, a current flows in the X direction in the third coil76. Since the third magnet66opposing the third coil76generates magnetic flux in the Y direction, a Lorentz force acts on the third coil76in the Z direction. Since the third coil76is fixed to the base80, a repulsion effect acting on the third magnet66acts as a drive force on the movable body18, such that the movable body18moves in the Z direction, guided by the optical axis direction guide mechanism102. Namely, the lens support body20moves in the optical axis direction.

After the movable body18has moved in the Z direction, a current supply to the third coil76is tuned off, and the lens support body20contained in the movable body18stops at its position of the current supply to the third coil76being turned off due to the attraction force between the third magnet66and the third magnetic member70, friction between the +X side guide shaft108and the +X side guide hole110, and friction between the −X side guide shaft112and the −X side guide groove114.

Consider a situation in which the camera device10is subjected to shock in the Y direction. Even were the +X side guide shaft108and the +X side guide hole110, and the −X side guide shaft112and the −X side guide groove114to move away from one another, such movement away would be over a minute distance and the respective components would promptly return to their original positions, such that any damage sustained would be negligible. There is substantially no damage due to the lower side guide projections44A,44B and the lower side guide grooves46A,46B, as well as the upper side guide projections48A,48B and the upper side guide grooves50A,50B being respectively retained in a state of contact.

Consider a situation in which the camera device10is subjected to shock in the X direction. There is substantially no damage due to the +X side guide shaft108and the +X side guide hole110, the −X side guide shaft112and the −X side guide groove114, the lower side guide projections44A,44B and the lower side guide grooves46A,46B, and the upper side guide projections48A,48B and the upper side guide grooves50A,50B being respectively retained in a state of contact.

Consider a situation in which the camera device10is subjected to shock in the Z direction. There is substantially no damage due to the +X side guide shaft108and the +X side guide hole110, and the −X side guide shaft112and the −X side guide groove114, being retained in a state of contact. Even were the lower side guide projections44A,44B and the lower side guide grooves46A,46B, and the upper side guide projections48A,48B and the upper side guide grooves50A,50B, to move away from one another, such movement away would be over a minute distance and the respective components would promptly return to their original positions, and there would be substantially no damage due to these respective components being in line contact or face-to-face contact states.

Thus, regardless of the direction in which the camera device10is subjected to shock, any damage sustained by the lens driving device12of the present exemplary embodiment is negligible, or substantially no damage is sustained. This enables smooth movement of the lens support body20in each of the X, Y, and Z directions to be secured.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, explanation has been given regarding an example in which the lower side guide projections44and the upper side guide projections48are provided to the first movable body plate26, the opposing lower side guide grooves46are provided to the second movable body plate28, and the opposing upper side guide grooves50are formed on the lens support body20. However, the arrangement of projections and grooves may be switched around, such that guide grooves are formed in upper and lower faces of the first movable body plate26, and guide projections are formed on the second movable body plate28and the lens support body20so as to oppose these. Alternatively, the arrangement may be switched around on the upper side alone or on the lower side alone.

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment described above, explanation has been given regarding an example in which the first coil72, the second coil74, the third coil76, and the third magnetic member70are attached to the fixed body16, and the first magnet52, the second magnet54, and the third magnet66are attached to the movable body18. However, the first coil72, the second coil74, the third coil76, and the third magnetic member70may be attached to the movable body18, while the first magnet52, the second magnet54, and the third magnet66may be attached to the fixed body16.

Further detailed explanation of the base80will now be given, with reference toFIG.11andFIG.13.

The base80includes a base body122formed with a resin in a rectangular plate shape as viewed along the optical axis direction, and a metal member124embedded in the base body122by insert molding. The circular shaped through hole84is formed in the base body122. An upstand portion126is formed at each of the four corners of the base body122, upstanding toward the +Z side. The openings88mentioned above are present between the upstand portions126. Moreover, the upstand portions126exhibit a 90° bent plate shape in an XY plane. The flexible printed substrate78mentioned above is fixed to the periphery of the upstand portions126.

The upstand portions126are each formed such that a base end portion126A side on the base body122side is wider in width than a leading end portion126B side. In this exemplary embodiment the width in the thickness direction of the plate shaped base end portion126A widens toward the inside, however a configuration may be adopted in which a width in an X or Y direction length direction of the base end portion126A widens.

The metal member124is a rectangular frame shaped sheet member embedded in the base body122. Fixing holes128,128configuring the lower side fixing portions116,116mentioned above are formed in the vicinity of two corners of the metal member124. Lower ends of the guide shafts108,112are fixed to the fixing holes128,128by being fitted therein. Each of the corners of the metal member124extend wider and overlap with the upstand portions126when viewed along the optical axis direction. A configuration may be adopted in which it is only the wider extended portions that overlap with the inside of the upstand portions126. The portion that is widely extended at each corner of the metal member124may overlap only with the widened portion inside of the upstand portion126. Moreover, corners where the fixing holes128are provided preferably overlap with the plate shaped portions at both sides of the 90° bend in the upstand portions126.

As illustrated inFIG.13, when manufacturing individual metal members124, in a single unit of the rectangular frame shaped attachment frames130, each of the metal members124is connected to the attachment frame130through connection portions132at each side of the rectangular frame. There are, for example, two of the connection portions132provided on each side of the rectangular frame of the metal member124. Although there may be a single connection portion132provided at each side, providing two or more thereof is preferable from the perspective of reducing thermal deformation of the base80. Plural units of the attachment frames130are provided connected together in a specific first direction or second direction orthogonal thereto, with common frame employed for adjacent units.

For the metal members124, the resin to configure the base body122is poured into the areas indicated by the double-dot broken lines in the state illustrated inFIG.13. Then after cooling, the connection portions132are severed at the positions indicated by the double-dot broken lines. Projecting portions134are formed to the metal member124projecting outside each of the four sides as a result of being severed.

As illustrated inFIG.11, the projecting portions134remain so as to be exposed to the outside at the four sides of the base body122.

The base80experiences thermal shrinkage when insert molding the base80. However, at the four sides of the base80there are two of the projecting portions134connected to the attachment frame130not susceptible to thermal deformation at each side. This means that for whichever side, the side is supported during cooling by the attachment frame130not susceptible to thermal deformation. This enables thermal deformation to be reduced during manufacture of the base80, even in the presence of different thermal shrinkage rates between the resin portions of the base80and the metal member124.

Moreover, there is little deformation of the upstand portions126due to there being little thermal deformation of the base80, enabling attachment precision of the flexible printed substrate78to be raised. Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment the metal member124is configured so as to overlap with the upstand portions126, and so the upstand portions126are moreover not liable to tilt. Achieving small thermal deformation in the base80enables the tilting of the guide shafts108,112to be reduced. At the same time, a more stable orientation is achieved for the third magnetic member70supporting the guide shafts108,112that are in close contact with and fixed to the upstand portions126. This enables the tilting of the guide shafts108,112to be reduced.

In the exemplary embodiment described above, explanation has been given regarding the lens driving device12employed in the camera device10. However, the present invention may also be applied in other devices.