Abstract: The sensor magnets have, on a side facing the attraction plate: an S1 magnetized portion magnetized to an S pole; an N2 magnetized portion located at a position adjacent to the S1 magnetized portion in an L1 direction, and magnetized to an N pole; an S3 magnetized portion located at a position adjacent to the N2 magnetized portion in an L2 direction intersecting the L1 direction, and magnetized to the S pole; and an N4 magnetized portion located at a position adjacent to the S3 magnetized portion in an L3 direction intersecting the L2 direction and adjacent to the S1 magnetized portion, and magnetized to the N pole. The attraction plate overlaps at least part of the S1 magnetized portion, the N2 magnetized portion, the S3 magnetized portion, and the N4 magnetized portion, when viewed in an optical axis direction.

Abstract: A multi-degree-of-freedom support mechanism includes a first member having a protruding part with a spherical surface, and a second member having a pair of planes opposite to each other across the protruding part. One of the first member and the second member is able to make relative movement with respect to the other with sliding movement of the spherical surface on the pair of planes. The pair of planes is in contact with the spherical surface. The relative movement includes translational movement in two degrees of freedom in planar direction and rotational movement about an axis in three degrees of freedom in the pair of planes.

Abstract: The sensor magnets have, on a side facing the attraction plate: an S1 magnetized portion magnetized to an S pole; an N2 magnetized portion located at a position adjacent to the S1 magnetized portion in an L1 direction, and magnetized to an N pole; an S3 magnetized portion located at a position adjacent to the N2 magnetized portion in an L2 direction intersecting the L1 direction, and magnetized to the S pole; and an N4 magnetized portion located at a position adjacent to the S3 magnetized portion in an L3 direction intersecting the L2 direction and adjacent to the S1 magnetized portion, and magnetized to the N pole. The attraction plate overlaps at least part of the S1 magnetized portion, the N2 magnetized portion, the S3 magnetized portion, and the N4 magnetized portion, when viewed in an optical axis direction.

Abstract: An optical system driving device includes a movable body that is movable in at least three degrees of freedom, and a light transmissive unit integrally mounted to the movable body. The optical system driving device also includes a driving unit that moves the movable body in at least three degrees of freedom, and a detection unit that detects a position of the movable body in each of at least three degrees of freedom. The detection unit includes a light-emitting unit that emits light toward the light transmissive unit, and an optical detector that receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit and passing through the light transmissive unit and outputs a light-receiving signal based on the received light. The detection unit also detects a position of the movable body in each of at least three degrees of freedom based on the light-receiving signal from the optical detector.

Abstract: A lens barrel in the present disclosure includes: a lens frame; a movable lens held in the lens frame; a guide member that moves the lens frame in a first direction; a driver including a drive coil and a magnet that move the lens frame with electric power being supplied to the driver; a drive circuit that drives the driver; and a switching circuit that short-circuits ends of the drive coil when the drive circuit is in a non-energized state.

Abstract: An optical system driving device includes a movable body that is movable in at least three degrees of freedom, and a light transmissive unit integrally mounted to the movable body. The optical system driving device also includes a driving unit that moves the movable body in at least three degrees of freedom, and a detection unit that detects a position of the movable body in each of at least three degrees of freedom. The detection unit includes a light-emitting unit that emits light toward the light transmissive unit, and an optical detector that receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit and passing through the light transmissive unit and outputs a light-receiving signal based on the received light. The detection unit also detects a position of the movable body in each of at least three degrees of freedom based on the light-receiving signal from the optical detector.

Abstract: An optical system driving device includes a movable body that is movable in at least three degrees of freedom, and a light transmissive unit integrally mounted to the movable body. The optical system driving device also includes a driving unit that moves the movable body in at least three degrees of freedom, and a detection unit that detects a position of the movable body in each of at least three degrees of freedom. The detection unit includes a light-emitting unit that emits light toward the light transmissive unit, and an optical detector that receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit and passing through the light transmissive unit and outputs a light-receiving signal based on the received light. The detection unit also detects a position of the movable body in each of at least three degrees of freedom based on the light-receiving signal from the optical detector.

Abstract: A lens barrel in the present disclosure includes: a lens frame; a movable lens held in the lens frame; a guide member that moves the lens frame in a first direction; a driver including a drive coil and a magnet that move the lens frame with electric power being supplied to the driver; a drive circuit that drives the driver; and a switching circuit that short-circuits ends of the drive coil when the drive circuit is in a non-energized state.

Abstract: A multi-degree-of-freedom support mechanism includes a first member having a protruding part with a spherical surface, and a second member having a pair of planes opposite to each other across the protruding part. One of the first member and the second member is able to make relative movement with respect to the other with sliding movement of the spherical surface on the pair of planes. The pair of planes is in contact with the spherical surface. The relative movement includes translational movement in two degrees of freedom in planar direction and rotational movement about an axis in three degrees of freedom in the pair of planes.

Abstract: An optical system driving device includes a movable body that is movable in at least three degrees of freedom, and a light transmissive unit integrally mounted to the movable body. The optical system driving device also includes a driving unit that moves the movable body in at least three degrees of freedom, and a detection unit that detects a position of the movable body in each of at least three degrees of freedom. The detection unit includes a light-emitting unit that emits light toward the light transmissive unit, and an optical detector that receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit and passing through the light transmissive unit and outputs a light-receiving signal based on the received light. The detection unit also detects a position of the movable body in each of at least three degrees of freedom based on the light-receiving signal from the optical detector.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an outer shell, a camera body arranged inside the outer shell and moving along the outer shell, drivers arranged inside the outer shell and configured to drive the camera body, a drive controller configured to control the drivers, a power source arranged inside the outer shell, a power receiver arranged inside the outer shell so as to move together with the camera body and configured to receive power from the outside of the outer shell to supply the power to the power source, and a power supply detector configured to determine whether or not the power is supplied from the outside of the outer shell. When the power is supplied, the drive controller moves the camera body to a predetermined power supply position.

Abstract: The lens barrel includes a lens frame and a cam frame. The lens frame has a body supporting a lens element in the optical system, at least three through-holes formed in the lens frame body, at least three cam members arranged on the lens frame body and at least one protruding member that protrude from the lens frame body. The cam frame has a body, at least three projection members extending from the cam frame body and inserted through the through-holes, at least three cam grooves formed in the cam frame body and the projection members to guide the cam members and to movably support the lens frame with respect to the cam frame body. The cam frame also has at least one auxiliary groove to guide the protruding member. One end of the auxiliary groove is disposed in the circumferential direction between two adjacent projection members.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (100) includes an outer shell (1), a camera body (2) configured to move in the outer shell (1) and shoot an image of an object outside the outer shell (1) through the outer shell (1), an obstruction detector (71) configured to detect an obstruction in or on the outer shell (1) from the image shot by the camera body (2), and an obstruction remover (73) configured to remove an image of the obstruction detected by the obstruction detector (71) from the shot image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an outer shell, a camera body arranged inside the outer shell and moving along the outer shell, drivers arranged inside the outer shell and configured to drive the camera body, a drive controller configured to control the drivers, a power source arranged inside the outer shell, a power receiver arranged inside the outer shell so as to move together with the camera body and configured to receive power from the outside of the outer shell to supply the power to the power source, and a power supply detector configured to determine whether or not the power is supplied from the outside of the outer shell. When the power is supplied, the drive controller moves the camera body to a predetermined power supply position.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (100) includes an outer shell (1) having a spherical inner surface, a camera body (2) configured to be movable inside the outer shell (1) and to shoot an image of an object outside the outer shell (1) through the outer shell (1), first to third drivers (26A-26C) attached to the camera body (2) and configured to drive the camera body (2) with the first to third drivers (26A-26C) contacting an inner surface of the outer shell (1), and a cleaner (7) configured to clean up a foreign substance on the inner surface of the outer shell (1).

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (100) includes an outer shell (1) including a first case (11) and a second case (12) joined to the first case (11) and formed with a spherical inner surface, a camera body (2) arranged inside the outer shell (1) and configured to move relative to the outer shell (1), a first driver (26A) and a second driver (26B) provided in the camera body (2) and configured to drive the camera body (2) with the first and second drivers (26A, 26B) contacting an inner surface of the outer shell (1), and a drive controller (62) configured to control the first and second drivers (26A, 26B) such that the first driver (26A) contacts only the first case (11) and that the second driver (26B) contacts only the second case (12).

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (100) includes a case (12) formed with an opening (12a) and having an inner spherical zone surface, and a camera body (2) configured to be movable inside the case (12) and to shoot an image of an object outside the case (12) through the opening (12a). A shooting range (S) of the camera body (2) is limited within the opening (12a).

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (100) includes an outer shell (1) including a first case (11) and a second case (12) joined to the first case (11) and formed with a spherical inner surface, a camera body (2) arranged inside the outer shell (1) and configured to move relative to the outer shell (1), a first driver (26A) and a second driver (26B) provided in the camera body (2) and configured to drive the camera body (2) with the first and second drivers (26A, 26B) contacting an inner surface of the outer shell (1), and a drive controller (62) configured to control the first and second drivers (26A, 26B) such that the first driver (26A) contacts only the first case (11) and that the second driver (26B) contacts only the second case (12).

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens frame, a guide shaft, a lead screw, a nut, and a biasing spring. The guide shaft is inserted into the lens frame. The nut is threaded onto the lead screw. The biasing member biases the lens frame toward the nut. The lens frame includes a first bearing component having a first insertion hole and a second bearing component having a second insertion hole. The guide shaft hits an inner peripheral face of the first insertion hole at a first and second contact point, and hits an inner peripheral face of the second insertion hole at a third and fourth contact point. The first and second contact points are disposed on opposing side of the third and fourth contact points using as a reference a parallel plane which extends along the direction of an optical axis and passes through a guide axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes a zoom optical system, a zooming unit, and a light adjusting mechanism. The zoom optical system is configured to form an optical image of a subject and includes a first, a second, and a third lens group. The third lens group is movable and configured to move the optical image. The zooming unit causes the zoom optical system to perform a zooming operation. The light adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust the light passing through the zoom optical system. The lens barrel is configured to change between an imaging state and a retracted state. In the imaging state, the zooming operation is performed, and the first, the second, and the third lens groups are in alignment. During the zooming operation, the second lens group moves integrally with the third lens group along the optical axis, and the light adjusting mechanism and the second lens group move independently of one another along the same axial direction.