Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an optical system that includes a plurality of lens groups, each lens group including one or more lenses, at least one of the lens groups being independently movable with respect to the other lens groups and including a focus lens group for focusing the subject and a lens control unit that controls movement of the plurality of lens groups to bring into focus based on a feeding position of the focus lens group.

Abstract: A camera according to this invention comprises a photographing optical system which forms an optical image of an object, a photoelectric conversion element which converts the optical image into an electric signal, an optical element arranged between the photographing optical system and the photoelectric conversion element, and vibration means which vibrates the optical element first at one of at least two frequencies and then at the other frequency, the frequencies being close to resonance frequencies.

Abstract: A vibrating device includes a dust-screening member shaped like a plate as a whole, a vibrating member arranged outside the dust-screening member and configured to produce, at the dust-screening member, vibration having a vibrational amplitude perpendicular to a surface of the dust-screening member, a counter member spaced apart from that surface of the dust-screening member, on which the vibrating member is arranged, a pushing member configured to push the dust-screening member onto the counter member, and a first support member arranged between the counter member and the dust-screening member, surrounding a center of the dust-screening member, and configured to support the dust-screening member when pushed by the pushing member. The first support member is pushed with a pressure of 2 N or less when the pushing member pushes the first support member.

Abstract: A vibrating device includes a drive unit configured to drive a vibrating member to produce vibration Z (x, y) at a dust-screening member, the vibration being expressed as follows: Z(x,y)=Wmn(x,y)·cos(?)+Wnm(x,y)·sin(?) where Z (x, y) is vibration at a given point P (x, y) on the dust-screening member, m and n are positive integers including 0, indicating the order of natural vibration corresponding to a vibrational mode, W mn ? ( x , y ) = sin ? ( n ? ? ? · x + ? 2 ) · sin ? ( m ? ? ? · y + ? 2 ) , ? W n ? ? m ? ( x , y ) = sin ? ( m ? ? ? · x + ? 2 ) · sin ? ( n ? ? ? · y + ? 2 ) , and ? is +?/4 or ranges from ??/8 to ??/4.

Abstract: A vibrating device includes a drive unit configured to drive a vibrating member to produce vibration Z(x,y) at a dust-screening member, the vibration being expressed as follows: Z(x,y)=Wmn(x,y)·cos(?)+Wnm(x,y)·sin(?) where Z(x,y) is vibration at a given point P(x,y) on the dust-screening member, m and n are positive integers including 0, indicating the order of natural vibration corresponding to a vibrational mode, W mn ? ( x , y ) = sin ? ( n ? ? ? · x + ? 2 ) · sin ? ( m ? ? ? · y + ? 2 ) , ? W nm ? ( x , y ) = sin ? ( m ? ? ? · x + ? 2 ) · sin ? ( n ? ? ? · y + ? 2 ) , and ? is +?/4 or ranges from ??/8 to ??/4. LP/LF is 0.

Abstract: An X-axis driving mechanism section as one of driving sources of a driving apparatus including: a transducer for generating an elliptical vibration on a driving section in response to application of a predetermined frequency voltage signal; a bottom case having a holding section for holding the transducer; a pressing mechanism arranged on the bottom case to press the driving section of the transducer; and a rod relatively driven by the elliptical vibration of the transducer while being pressed by the pressing mechanism and with a moving direction being restricted by a guiding section of the holding member; wherein a weight is fixed to an end portion of the rod. The X-axis driving mechanism section constitutes the driving apparatus which is small and provides a large driving force, is capable of stable driving with higher efficiency without producing audible noise, and can retain the rod position and has high responsiveness with high accuracy.

Abstract: A driving apparatus includes: a first member including a first linear groove; a second member including a second linear groove; a plurality of first rolling bodies held between the first and the second linear grooves; a pressing member for pressing the first and second members; a pressing force applying member for pressing the pressing member; and second rolling bodies arranged on the same plane between the second member and the pressing member. A third linear groove for guiding the second rolling bodies is formed on one of the second member and the pressing member. At least one or more of the second rolling bodies are arranged on both sides of the central axis of the first rolling bodies, and the pressing force applying member applies a pressing force to the second rolling bodies such that rotational moment around the axis line is zero.

Abstract: A vibrating device includes a dust-screening member and a vibrating member. The dust-screening member is disposed in front of an image surface of an image forming element having the image surface in which an optical image is generated. The dust-screening member has a box shape with about the same small plate thickness as a whole, and includes, in a bottom surface portion of the box shape, a transparent part which spreads from the center of the bottom surface portion. The vibrating member is disposed outside the transparent part of the dust-screening member. The vibrating member is configured to generate, in the bottom surface portion of the dust-screening member, vibration having a vibrational amplitude which is vertical to the bottom surface portion thereof.

Abstract: A vibrating device includes first and second members, each shaped almost like a rectangle and composed of first and second parts, a connection member composed of a first circuit which inputs an electrical signal to the first part, a second circuit which outputs an electrical signal generated in the second part, and a connection part which connects the first and second circuits electrically, and a drive unit which drives the first and second members while the first and second circuits remain connected by the connection part. The first and second members are shaped symmetrically to one another in weight balance with respect to a virtual symmetry axis at the same distance from the first and second members and also to an virtual centerline connecting gravity centers of the first and second members. The second member is shaped asymmetrically in vibrational amplitude with respect to its vibrational axis.

Abstract: An anti-vibration unit has: an X-axis transducer generating elliptical vibration in drivers; a frame which is a fixing member having a holding portion for holding the X-axis transducer; an X frame having fixed thereto a slide element to which the drivers of the X-axis transducer are pressed and which moves in the X-axis direction with respect to the frame; a Y-axis transducer held by a holding portion provided in the X-frame and generating elliptical vibration in drivers; and a Y frame having fixed thereto a slide element to which the drivers of the Y-axis transducer are pressed and which moves in the Y-axis direction with respect to the X frame. The X-axis transducer and the Y-axis transducer have substantially same resonant frequency, and the slide elements differ in at least one of rigidity and density thereof, thereby providing a drive apparatus down-sized, large in driving force and high in efficiency.

Abstract: A drive unit inputs an electrical signal to the first and second vibrating members to generate, in a light-transmitting region of a dust-screening member, vibration forming peak ridges defining a closed curve around a first virtual intersection of an virtual symmetry axis at the same distance from the first and second vibrating members and a vibrational axis for both first and second vibrating members, the vibration gradually increasing as the amplitude of each vibrational peak approaches the first virtual intersection, and having a maximum amplitude at the vibrational peak including the first virtual intersection. The drive unit controls the electrical signal to move the vibrational axes of the first and second vibrating members on the virtual symmetry axis and to change the first virtual intersection to a second virtual intersection and moving a vibrational peak of maximum vibrational amplitude to a position including the second virtual intersection.

Abstract: Arranged are an optical element, a piezoelectric element arranged on the optical element, and an oscillation circuit for causing the piezoelectric element to vibrate so as to generate vibrational waves, wherein the volume of the piezoelectric element is determined based on density of the piezoelectric element, mass of the optical element, and vibration speed of the optical element, and made a size such that there is no wasteful consumption of energy.

Abstract: A dust-screening member is shaped like a plate as a whole. A vibrating member is adjacent to one side of the dust-screening member and arranged on the surface along the one side. A drive unit is configured to drive the vibrating member to produce a vibration having a vibrational amplitude perpendicular to the surface, on the surface, such that peak ridges of the vibration form a closed loop and an area including a center of the closed loop surrounded by a node area having almost no vibrational amplitude. When a length of a side in a dust-screening member virtual rectangle corresponding to a short side of a vibrating member virtual rectangle is assumed to be LFw, and a length of short side of the vibrating member virtual rectangle is assumed to be WE, WF/LFw has a dimension of 0.095 or greater and 0.105 or less.

Abstract: A dust-screening member is shaped like a plate as a whole. A vibrating member is adjacent to one side of the dust-screening member, arranged on the surface along the one side, and configured to produce, at the surface, vibration having a vibrational amplitude perpendicular to the surface. A drive unit is configured to drive the vibrating member to produce the vibration on the surface, such that peak ridges of the vibration form a closed loop and an area including a center of the closed loop is surrounded by a node area having almost no vibrational amplitude. When a length of a side in a dust-screening member virtual rectangle corresponding to a long side of a vibrating member virtual rectangle is assumed to be LF, and a length of a long side in the vibrating member virtual rectangle is assumed to be LPFF, LPFF/LF has a dimension of 0.7.

Abstract: A dust-screening member is shaped like a plate as a whole, and has at least one side that is symmetric with respect to a virtual axis on a surface of the member. A vibrating member is adjacent to one side of the dust-screening member, arranged on the surface along the one side, and configured to produce, at the surface, vibration having a vibrational amplitude perpendicular to the surface. A drive unit is configured to drive the vibrating member to produce the vibration on the surface, such that peak ridges of the vibration form a closed loop and an area including a center of the closed loop is surrounded by a node area having almost no vibrational amplitude. When a thickness of the dust-screening member is assumed to be tg and a thickness of the vibrating member is assumed to be tp, tg/tp has a dimension of 0.8.

Abstract: A dust-screening member is shaped like a plate as a whole, and has at least one side that is symmetric with respect to a virtual axis on a surface of the member. A vibrating member is adjacent to one side of the dust-screening member, arranged on the surface along the one side, and configured to produce, at the surface, vibration having a vibrational amplitude perpendicular to the surface. A drive unit is configured to drive the vibrating member to produce the vibration on the surface, such that peak ridges of the vibration form a closed loop and an area including a center of the closed loop is surrounded by a node area having almost no vibrational amplitude.

Abstract: A vibrating device includes a dust-screening member shaped like a plate as a whole, a first vibrating member secured to the dust-screening member and configured to cause, when driven alone, the dust-screening member to undergo first standing-wave vibration, and a second vibrating member secured to the dust-screening member and configured to cause, when driven alone, the dust-screening member to undergo second standing-wave vibration. The first vibrating member and the second vibrating member are so positioned that the first standing-wave vibration and second standing-wave vibration produced by the first and second vibrating members, respectively, overlap each other, thus producing a travelling wave propagating in one direction and having nodes regions at an outer circumferential edge of the dust-screening member, the node regions having virtually no vibrational amplitude.

Abstract: A drive device includes an actuator, a fixed member, a movable member, rotating members, and a guide member. The actuator is arranged on the fixed member, and includes a piezoelectric element and at least two drivers on the piezoelectric element in parallel with the central axis of the piezoelectric element. The movable member moves by the drivers on the fixed member. The rotating members are located between the fixed member and the movable member to support the movable member. The guide member is arranged on at least one of the fixed member and the movable member, and guides movement of the rotating members in a direction parallel to the central axis of the piezoelectric element. The drivers are located between the rotating members in the direction parallel to the central axis of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A driving apparatus including a transducer, a fixing member, and a mobile body is provided. The transducer generates elliptical vibration in a driving part when voltage of a predetermined frequency is applied. The fixing member includes a retaining part which retains the transducer. The mobile body, which is driven by the elliptical vibration of the transducer to move with respect to the fixing member, includes a first mobile body part formed in a desired size; and a second mobile body part which has a sliding part to which the driving part is pressed and contacted, and a guide-receiving part which is provided opposite the sliding part and whose moving direction is guided in engagement with a guiding part of the fixing member, the second mobile body part being of higher rigidity, formed in a smaller size than the first mobile body part, and fixed to the first mobile body part.

Abstract: A vibration control unit inputs an electrical signal to a vibrating member to generate, in a light-transmitting region of a dust-screening member, vibration forming a plurality of ridges of peaks defining a closed loop around a virtual intersection at which a virtual vibrational axis passing the half-length point of the vibrating member intersects with a virtual vibrational axis passing the half-length point of the dust-screening member. For example, the vibration is vibration whose peak including the virtual intersection gradually increases in terms of amplitude as the amplitude of the peak approaches the virtual intersection, and becomes the largest in terms of amplitude at the virtual intersection. The dust-screening member and the vibrating member have the following relation: 1.2?Ts/Tg?1.6, where Tg is the thickness of the thickness of the dust-screening member, and Ts is the thickness of the vibrating member.