Electromagnetic Motive Power Patents (Class 359/814)
  • Patent number: 8446682
    Abstract: A camera module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a first shaft, which is disposed in a first axis direction and coupled to the housing in such a way that the other end part can be tilted against one end part, a moving guide, which is mounted on the first shaft in such a way that the moving guide can slide in the first axis direction, a second shaft, which is disposed in a second axis direction and supported by the housing in such a way that the second shaft can be tilted against the housing, a lens module, which is mounted on the second shaft in such a way that the lens module can slide in the second axis direction, and a driver, which moves the lens module in the first axis direction and the second axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-Cheol Lim, Jung-Seok Lee, Byung-Woo Kang, Jae-Hyuk Park
  • Patent number: 8441749
    Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus comprises a camera lens element supported on a support structure by a plurality of flexures. An SMA wire at an acute angle to the movement axis and a biasing element are connected between the support structure and the movable element. A component of the force applied by the SMA wire perpendicular to the movement axis compresses the flexures causing them to apply a force to the movable element having a component along the movement axis in the same direction as the SMA wire. An end-stop limits the movement of the movable element, and the moment applied by the end-stop to the movable element about the center of stiffness is equal to the moment applied by the SMA wire about the center of stiffness at the point when the movable element loses contact with the end-stop on contraction of the SMA wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Cambridge Mechatronics Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Richard Topliss
  • Publication number: 20130107380
    Abstract: A lens driver moving a lens perpendicularly to optical axis, the lens driver including: fined member; movable member holding the lens; spacer interposed therebetween with the members being movable to each other perpendicularly to optical axis; biasing unit biasing the movable member toward the fixed member; detector for detecting position of the movable member relative to the fixed member in plane perpendicular to optical axis; driver driving the movable member relative to the fixed member perpendicularly to optical axis; controller controlling the driver based on position of the movable member; and range definer defining: movable position having large movable range between the members in the perpendicular plane; and fixed position having small movable range between the members in the perpendicular plane based on rotation position about optical axis where sliding friction is generated between the spacer and one of the members, or between the driving unit and the movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Patent number: 8432626
    Abstract: An optical device includes an optical element through which light is transmitted, a frame that supports the optical element, magnets in the frame around the optical element, a base unit that movably supports the frame, a cover unit to cover the magnets, and magnetic force generating units in the cover unit in positions corresponding to the magnets and that generate magnetic force when an electrical signal is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-young Park, Kwang-seok Byon, Jung-soo Kim, Jin-young Bang, Young-jae Hwang
  • Patent number: 8416516
    Abstract: An insert (18) for holding an optical system (90, 92), in particular a focusing optics, in a laser machining head (10) for machining a workpiece with a laser beam. The optical system (90, 92) is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the laser beam relative to the insert (18) via adjusting means. The adjusting means includes a linear adjusting device (64, 66, 68) with a synchronous linear motor (68). The laser machining head (10) has a housing (14) in which the insert (18) can be introduced laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Precitec KG
    Inventors: Georg Spoerl, Christian Loose
  • Publication number: 20130083231
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to lens actuators used, for example, in auto-focus and/or vibration compensation systems of digital cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kin Ming Fan, Sio Kuan Lam, Kwok Sing Cheng, Wing Ming Fan, Hua Yang, Tiegang Liu
  • Patent number: 8345363
    Abstract: A drive device capable of engaging a drive shaft and a part holding the drive shaft with a suitable force without accompanying increase in the size of the drive device. The drive device includes a couple member with a piezoelectric element and a transmission shaft coupled together, a lens holder that holds a lens and to which the couple member is secured, a biasing member that biases the transmission shaft in a direction intersecting a placement direction of the transmission shaft viewed from the lens holder (excluding a lengthwise direction of the transmission shaft), and a link member (link body) that holds the transmission shaft in a slidable manner together with the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Aoki, Hitoshi Kawamura, Takashi Hasuda, Eiji Takahashi, Ikuo Shinta
  • Publication number: 20120314307
    Abstract: A lens actuator includes a carrier that is configured to retain a lens; a first AF coil that is disposed in the carrier while wound about an axis perpendicular to a lens retaining surface; first to fourth magnets that are disposed opposite the first AF coil in four directions parallel to the lens retaining surface; a first OIS coil that is disposed opposite the first magnet; and a second OIS coil that is disposed opposite the second magnet. A current is passed through the first AF coil to move the carrier in a vertical direction along an axis. The currents are passed through the first and second OIS coils to a movable unit in front-back and left-right directions. Therefore, weight reduction of the movable unit can be achieved to provide a lens actuator, in which electric power saving can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: KIMIYA IKUSHIMA, HIDEKAZU TANAKA, HIROYUKI TOGAWA, NORIFUMI SATA, TAKUO OSAKI, TAKATOSHI ONO
  • Publication number: 20120314308
    Abstract: In a lens actuator according to an exemplary embodiment, wires that connect a holder and a base of a movable unit have diameters of 30 ?m or more and less than 70 ?m, and the wires have longitudinal elastic moduli of 100 GPa or more and less than 500 GPa. The wire is flexible even if a small amount of currents are passed through a plurality of OIS coils, and the lens actuator suitable to electric power saving can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: KIMIYA IKUSHIMA, HIDEKAZU TANAKA, HIROYUKI TOGAWA, TATSUYA MIYAZAKI
  • Patent number: 8319886
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a movable receiving cylinder having protrusions formed at an end; a wire coil surrounding the receiving cylinder; a hollow fixing frame receiving the receiving cylinder and the wire coil; magnetic members fixedly received in the fixing frame, top and bottom elastic members. The top elastic member includes a peripheral portion and a resilient central portion, the central portion having a central opening and cutouts. The protrusions of the receiving cylinder are engaged in the cutouts. The peripheral portion is fixed at a lower position than the central portion, thereby forming an elastic force applied to the receiving cylinder when no current is applied to the wire coil. The bottom elastic member is connected to the receiving cylinder and the fixing frame, and is in an undeformed state when no current is applied to the wire coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Bin Wang, Chau-Yuan Ke
  • Publication number: 20120287318
    Abstract: A compact and thin lens module that uses a flat-plate-shaped displacement device to drive a lens, and a compact, thin imaging apparatus and electronic system using the lens module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichiro Fujinaga, Yoshiteru Kamatani, Yoshihito Higashitsutsumi, Junichi Muramoto, Shuji Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8310774
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a lens drive device comprises: a housing; a yoke provided on the inside of the housing; a magnet secured to the yoke; a carrier which is located on the inside of the yoke and which is provided with a lens; a coil which is connected to the carrier and which interacts with the magnet; a spring for resiliently supporting the carrier; and a magnetic member connected to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 8310772
    Abstract: The present invention provides thermal compensation for a lens assembly comprising a polymer lens body. Polymers do have different thermal expansion coefficients which makes it necessary to compensate for thermal expansions to keep optical characteristics of such lenses within specifications when used under different environmental conditions. Also, it is necessary to provide thermal compensation during manufacturing of such lenses due to high temperatures during manufacturing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Polight AS
    Inventors: Lars Henriksen, Thomas Spatscheck, Vladimir Kartashov, Jon Herman Ulvensøen
  • Publication number: 20120281517
    Abstract: An objective lens driving unit is provided and includes a moving structure having an objective lens and a plurality of driving coils, a permanent magnet and a yoke structure to correspond to the driving coils, a wire holder coupled to the yoke structure and having a plurality of wiring layers buried in a portion of the wire holder, and a plurality of suspension wires to connect the plurality of driving coils to the plurality of wiring layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Young-bin Lee, Min-soo Kang
  • Patent number: 8300330
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lens driving apparatus. The lens driving apparatus includes a base formed at a center thereof with a first opening; a housing coupled with the base and having a second opening corresponding to the first opening; a yoke installed on the base and including a horizontal plate having a third opening corresponding to the first opening and a vertical plate protruding upward from the horizontal plate; a bobbin movably installed in the yoke and coupled with a lens module; a coil fixedly disposed around the bobbin; a plurality of magnets provided at the vertical plate of the yoke to face the coil; and a spring installed on at least one of upper and lower portions of the yoke to return the bobbin, which has moved up due to interaction between the magnet and the coil, to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Ok Park, Sang Jun Min, Sang Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 8299657
    Abstract: This invention provides a linear motor at least including an electrically controlled actuator and an elastic member. The electrically controlled actuator at least comprises a fixed element, a movable element, and an electrical unit, and at least provides an axial displacement. The elastic member at least comprises a fixed portion, a movable portion, an elastic portion, and a pair of power supply terminals. The fixed portion of the elastic member is connected to the fixed element of the actuator. The movable portion of the elastic member is connected to the movable element of the actuator. Various portions of the elastic member have different thicknesses depending on desired stiffness of each portion, such that the elastic member can be thinned to facilitate miniaturization of the linear motor. The needs to have an elastic member with desired stiffness and to provide good electrical contact are both met by the present linear motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Largan Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Te Sheng Tseng, Chen Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 8284509
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a stationary member, a moveable member, a base, and two guide posts. The stationary member includes a stationary frame and a number of magnets fixed on the stationary frame. The stationary frame defines a first receiving room. The moveable member is received in the first receiving room and includes a barrel holder and a coil. The barrel holder defines a second receiving room for receiving a lens barrel. The coil wraps around the barrel holder. Two through holes extend from a top surface to a bottom surface of the barrel holder. The base supports the stationary member and the moveable member. The guide posts are perpendicularly fixed on the base and pass through the through holes of the moveable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping-Han Ku
  • Patent number: 8283814
    Abstract: A voice coil motor assembly includes a housing, a voice coil motor, a cover, and a transparent board. The voice coil motor is received in the housing. The cover is secured to the voice coil motor and resists the top surface of the housing. The cover includes a top surface defining an aperture. A limiting element protrudes from the top surface of the cover. The transparent board is adhered to the top surface of the cover and covers the aperture. The movement of the transparent board is limited by the limiting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Hung Liao
  • Patent number: 8279543
    Abstract: A lens drive unit includes a movable member with lenses; and a guide portion configured to movably guide the movable member back and forth along a predetermined direction and rotatably guide the movable member about a predetermined rotational axis in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens. A distance r between the gravity center of the movable member and the rotational axis satisfies the following expression (A): r??{square root over (0.2J/M)}??(A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Umeda, Kenichi Miyamori
  • Patent number: 8274748
    Abstract: A lens actuator includes a housing, a loading plate, a moving unit, four magnetic elements, and an elastic plate. The housing and the loading plate cooperatively form an accommodating room. The housing includes a top panel having four fixing portions. The moving unit is movably received in the accommodating room. The four magnetic elements are received in the accommodating room around the moving unit, and are fixed on four inner sidewalls of the housing. The elastic plate is disposed between the top panel and the moving unit, and the four fixing portions of the housing firmly press the elastic plate on the four magnetic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Fan Chiang
  • Publication number: 20120236423
    Abstract: A lens driving device comprises a lens holder for holding a lens, a shaft for supporting the lens holder so as to make the lens holder movable in an optical axis direction of the lens and swingable about an axis of the shaft, an actuator for applying a driving force to the lens holder so as to move the lens holder in the optical axis direction; and an urging member for applying an urging force to the lens holder so as to rotate the lens holder toward the actuator. In the lens holder, a position where the urging force is applied by the urging member and a position where the driving force is applied by the actuator oppose each other, so that the urging force from the urging member is directed to the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaru UNO, Akira SUZUKI, Kazutomo IMI
  • Publication number: 20120224274
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a linear vibration actuator and a lens ring. The linear vibration actuator includes a vibrating element, relative motion member and pressurizing mechanism. The vibrating element generates a driving force at a driving face in parallel with an optical axis by oscillation of an electromechanical conversion element. The relative motion member is in pressure contact with the driving face and linearly moves in parallel with the optical axis with respect to the vibrating element. The pressurizing mechanism applies a pressure force between the driving face and the relative motion member. The lens ring holds a photographic lens and is linearly moved by the relative motion member in parallel with the optical axis. The linear vibration actuator includes a first linear guide receiving the pressure force applied to the relative motion member, and the lens ring includes a second linear guide guiding the lens ring to linearly move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takatoshi ASHIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20120182630
    Abstract: An oscillator holding mechanism capable of generating a stable vibration in an oscillator and an oscillation motor having the oscillator holding mechanism are disclosed. The oscillator holding mechanism present within an oscillation motor includes an oscillator that has a protruding output section on one end that generates a predetermined movement in the output section by vibration, a holding member that holds and accommodates the oscillator, and a buffer member that is made of an elastic material and is provided between the oscillator and the holding member. The buffer member has a first surface in contact with the holding member having a larger area than a second surface in contact with the oscillator and a cross sectional shape including a center axis that connects a center point of the first surface and a center point of the second surface that is axisymmetric with respect to the center axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: TAMRON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoto Shiga
  • Patent number: 8220012
    Abstract: A holding member provided with a coil comprising a proximity facilitating portion capable of bringing the coil closer to a magnetic member facing the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Imai, Shunichi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8194336
    Abstract: A lens driving device has a carrier, a coil, an upper spring, a lower spring, a yoke, a magnet, and a lower member. The carrier is cylindrical and has a hollow part along a vertical direction so that a lens can be carried. The coil is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the carrier. The upper spring is arranged over the carrier, and fixed to the yoke. The lower spring is arranged below the carrier. The yoke is formed into a box shape having a side wall and an opening on the lower side, and arranged around the carrier. The magnet is arranged in the yoke so as to be opposed to the coil. The lower member is arranged below the yoke. The lower member has a projection part connected to the yoke. The projection part is inserted between an inner surface of the side wall of the yoke and an outer surface of the magnet and connected to the yoke. Thus, the yoke and the lower member can be connected such that space for the magnet to be arranged in the yoke is less affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Shinsuke Kimoto
  • Patent number: 8189280
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided including a voice coil motor (VCM); a lens connected to the voice coil motor; and a pulse-width modulation (PWM) driver connected to the voice coil motor to at least partially control movement of the lens by the voice coil motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko A. Ollila, Marko J. Eromaki
  • Publication number: 20120092768
    Abstract: In a lens driving device of the present invention, each magnet is provide to face an outer circumferential face of a first coil, and face a second coil at a position at which the second coil is provided. A first spring member and a second spring member are configured by a plurality of six springs separated from each other, each coil wire end of the first coil and the two of the second coils being connected to a different spring, respectively, and when moving a lens support (5) in the optical axis direction, electric current is flowed through the first coil, and when moving the lens support in an X-Y direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis, a predetermined electric current is flowed through a predetermined one of the second coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: SHICOH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Shiraki, Koji Toyama
  • Patent number: 8159764
    Abstract: A lens drive device may include a movable body holding a lens, a fixed body movably holding the movable body, and a drive mechanism for driving the movable body in the optical axis direction. The drive mechanism may include a drive magnet part formed in a substantially triangular prism shape and disposed at least in one of four corners of the lens drive device, a drive coil wound around in a substantially triangular tube shape and attached to the movable body, and a coil protection member attached to at least one of an object side and an opposite-to-object side of the drive coil. The coil protection member may include a first coil protection end part and a second coil protection end part which are superposed on an outer side end of the drive coil or protruded toward an outer side from the outer side end of the drive coil to prevent the drive coil from contacting with the fixed body such as a case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuki Wade, Akihito Wada
  • Publication number: 20120002275
    Abstract: An optical element switching apparatus is provided that includes: a connecting portion connecting a transmitting portion with a traveling body portion via a predetermined elastic body and displacing the traveling body portion in each of first and second directions in a range of an elastic displacement width greater than a unit travel distance; a holding portion applying a force greater than an elastic force occurring in the connecting portion to the traveling body portion shifted to the travel limit position, in a direction opposite to the direction where the elastic force acts, so as to hold the traveling body portion at a travel limit position; and a control portion adapted to control a drive force generating portion to supply a drive force capable of shifting the traveling body portion farther than the travel limit position when the traveling body portion is to be shifted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihiko Hayashi, Yu Hirono
  • Patent number: 8089703
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lens driving apparatus. The lens driving apparatus includes a base formed at a center thereof with a first opening; a housing coupled with the base and having a second opening corresponding to the first opening; a yoke installed on the base and including a horizontal plate having a third opening corresponding to the first opening and a vertical plate protruding upward from the horizontal plate; a bobbin movably installed in the yoke and coupled with a lens module; a coil fixedly disposed around the bobbin; a plurality of magnets provided at the vertical plate of the yoke to face the coil; and a spring installed on at least one of upper and lower portions of the yoke to return the bobbin, which has moved up due to interaction between the magnet and the coil, to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Ok Park, Sang Jun Min, Sang Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 8072577
    Abstract: An exemplary lithography process may include: receiving a substrate having a photo-sensitive layer; providing a light source capable of causing an exposure of a portion of the photo-sensitive layer; and providing a mask capable of defining at least one pattern that is to be transferred to the photo-sensitive layer. Specifically, the substrate has a top surface on or over the photo-sensitive layer, and the mask receives an electromagnetic wave from the light source at a first surface of the mask and generates a plurality of electromagnetic components from a second surface of the mask. The lithography process may also include: providing a lens, which provides a flat surface at a bottom surface of the lens, for transferring the pattern to the photo-sensitive layer; and adjusting the distance between the flat surface of the lens and the top surface of the substrate to control the number and amount of the electro-magnetic components projected onto the photo-sensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzong Hsien Wu, Ta Hung Yang, Chih Yuan Lu
  • Publication number: 20110286099
    Abstract: In the lens driving device of the present invention, at least two second coils are disposed at a 90 degree interval in a circumferential direction of a first coil wound around an outer circumference of a lens support in the circumferential direction, at least four magnets are provided at an inner circumferential side of a circumferential wall of a yoke and are provided at even intervals about the circumferential direction of the first coil, each magnet being provided so that an inner circumferential face is the same magnetic pole and opposes an outer circumferential face of the first coil, and in addition is opposite the second coil at the position of providing the second coil. When the lens support is moved in the optical axis direction, an electric current flows in the first coil, and when the lens support is moved in an X-Y direction orthogonal to the optical axis, a predetermined electric current flows in a predetermined second coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: SHICOH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Shiraki, Kazuhiro Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8040624
    Abstract: A lens drive device for use with at least one lens may include a movable body holding a lens, a fixed body movably holding the movable body, and a drive mechanism for driving the movable body in the optical axis direction. The drive mechanism may include a drive coil fixed to the movable body and a plurality of drive magnets which is fixed to the fixed body and magnetized so that magnetic poles are different from each other in the optical axis direction. The fixed body may include an outer peripheral side magnetic member and an end face side magnetic member and an inner peripheral face of the outer peripheral side magnetic member and a side face of the drive magnet are faced each other through a predetermined space. The drive coil is disposed between the drive magnet and the inner peripheral face of the outer peripheral side magnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Miyazaki, Tatsuki Wade
  • Patent number: 8040621
    Abstract: A miniature magnetic-levitated lens driving device includes a lid, a casing, a lens module, a plate spring, and a magnetic-levitated module. The lid has a hollow structure and is coupled to the casing. The casing is formed therein with a receiving space. The lens module is provided in the receiving space. The plate spring is fixed between the lid and the casing and configured to resiliently confine the lens module to the receiving space. The magnetic-levitated module is provided in the receiving space and corresponds in position to the lens module. A magnetic repulsive force is produced by and between the magnetic-levitated module and the lens module, and in consequence the lens module is magnetically suspended in the receiving space formed by the lid and the casing, so as to save power, and minimize friction and microparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: PowerGate Optical Inc.
    Inventors: Chi Lone Chang, Chuan Yu Hsu, Wen Tsai Hsu, Chi Tai Meng
  • Patent number: 8009373
    Abstract: A lens actuator includes a cylindrical carrier having a hollow for accommodating a lens, the hollow being formed in a first direction; a driving yoke for housing the carrier; a base for holding the yoke thereon; a driving magnet and a driving coil, which are fixed either to the outer periphery of the carrier or the driving yoke; a moving magnet fixed to the driving yoke; and a moving coil fixed to the base. The carrier is movable with respect to the driving yoke in the first direction, and the driving yoke is movable with respect to the base in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The driving magnet and the driving coil face each other in the second direction, and the moving magnet and the moving coil face each other in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norifumi Sata, Hidekazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8009372
    Abstract: A lens driving device comprises an annular magnet carriage acting as the outer frame of the lens driving device. A magnet and a coil are disposed in the annular magnet carriage. A lens holder with a lens is disposed in the central circular hole of the annular magnet carriage. A front spring with front gasket is disposed in front of the lens holder, and a rear springs with rear gasket is disposed in back of the lens holder. The annular magnet carriage, the front spring, the rear spring, the front gasket, the rear gasket, the lens holder, and the base are all in the shape of flat plate and nested connect with each other to form a position mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Ningbo Chengli Technology Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Renzhao Jin
  • Patent number: 8009371
    Abstract: A lens driving apparatus is disclosed. The lends driving apparatus may include a movable body holding lenses, a fixed body in which the movable body is mounted and movably along the lens optical axis direction, and a drive mechanism that moves the movable body in the lens optical axis direction. The drive mechanism may be equipped with a coil that is held by the movable body or the fixed body, a magnet that is held by the other body of the movable body and the fixed boy, and a regulatory means that regulates the movement of the movable body which is induced by an electromagnetic force generated when current is passed through the coil. The coil may be opposed to the magnet in the lens optical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Sue, Noboru Otsuki, Daisuke Higuchi, Makoto Akabane
  • Publication number: 20110194197
    Abstract: A device for selectively inserting an optical lens filter, such as day optical filter and a night optical filter, into an optical path of a camera in accordance with light intensity and/or a signal from a user or timer. The device for switching an optical lens filter may include an electromechanical solenoid that provides a mechanical force to move a cantilevered filter arm between a first position and a second position according to the polarity of the magnetic field generated by the electromechanical solenoid. The device for switching an optical lens filter may include an electrical switch for determining the position of the cantilevered filter arm during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: BENNING QIAN
  • Patent number: 7990631
    Abstract: A lens drive device may include a movable body movable in an optical axis direction, a support body supporting the movable body through a spring member which may include spring pieces electrically separated from each other, formed with a coil connecting part to which one of a winding start part and a winding end part of the coil is electrically connected. The movable body is provided with an accommodating part for accommodating the coil connecting part. The spring member may include a plate spring-shaped arm part connecting a support body side fixing part with a movable body side fixing part and the arm part is provided with a laser cut portion formed by a laser in a part of an edge part of the arm part. An edge part of the arm part except the laser cut portion may be a cut portion formed by press working or etching processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Sue, Daisuke Higuchi, Yuichi Takei, Yukio Furuya, Shinji Minamisawa
  • Patent number: 7986478
    Abstract: A lens drive device includes a lens holder for holding a lens; a cabinet to which the lens holder is attached so as to be capable of being displaced in a direction of an optical axis of the lens; and a drive part that uses a magnetic driving force to displace the holder in the direction of the optical axis. The drive part includes a magnet disposed on the lens holder and a coil opposed to the magnet. Here, the cabinet has a shape of an almost square in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Further, the drive part is disposed in a region R between an outer edge of the lens holder and a corner of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamashita, Suguru Ohishi
  • Patent number: 7974021
    Abstract: A lens tube includes a standard member, a lens, a guide, and a pushing member. The standard member has a standard surface via which the standard member is to be mounted to a camera main body. The lens retainer retains at least one lens and is connected to the standard member movably along an optical axis of the at least one lens. The guide is provided facing the lens retainer in a radial direction of the at least one lens to guide the lens retainer along the optical axis. The pushing member pushes the lens retainer and the guide in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuhide Takebayashi
  • Patent number: 7974009
    Abstract: An image fluctuation correcting apparatus rotates a first rotary apex angle prism held in a first prism holding member around a first shaft in a direction for canceling an amount of horizontal fluctuation by electromagnetic force generated between a first drive coil and a first magnet by flowing electric current in the first drive coil. Also, the image fluctuation correcting apparatus rotates a second rotary apex angle prism held in a second prism holding member around a second shaft, which is located 180-degree angle away from the first shaft, in a direction for canceling an amount of vertical fluctuation by electromagnetic force generated between a second drive coil and a second magnet by flowing electric current in the second drive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventors: Hisanori Tsubaki, Tomohiko Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110150455
    Abstract: An optical device includes a lens, a horizontal transmission module, a vertical transmission module, a horizontal driving unit, a vertical driving unit, a horizontal orientation detector, a vertical orientation detector, a user interface, and a control unit. The horizontal driving unit moves the lens horizontally via the horizontal transmission module. The horizontal orientation detector can detect horizontal movement of the lens and emit a horizontal sensing signal. The vertical driving unit can move the lens vertically via the vertical transmission module. The vertical orientation detector can detect vertical movement of the lens and emit a vertical sensing signal. The user interface can generate an operation signal. The control unit can control movement of the lens according to the operation signal, the horizontal sensing signal, and the vertical sensing signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: ASIA OPTICAL CO., INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Kung TSAI, Mei Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7952639
    Abstract: An actuator element comprises at least two actuator arms. Each of the at least two actuator arms is fixed to a first mount part at a first end of the actuator arm and to a second mount part at a second end of the actuator arm. The at least two actuator arms are configured to cause moving of the first mount part and the second mount part in respect of each other by application of an electric field to the at least two actuator arms. A lens element may comprise the actuator element and a lens mounted on the first mount part. An electronic device may comprise the actuator element or the lens element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Sladen
  • Patent number: 7944636
    Abstract: In the present invention, a lens driving device has appropriate offset for miniaturization, excellent linearity of driving current versus displacement, and good displacement sensitivity. A casing holding a yoke with at least one permanent magnet mounted on an inner circumference thereof is connected with a lens holder having a driving coil installed on an outer sidewall thereof between an upper spring member and a lower spring member. When the driving coil is not powered, the lens holder props against the casing at a side opposite to an imaged object. When the lens holder props against the casing, the position of the driving coil along Z axis causing a magnitude of driving magnetic field intersecting with the driving coil is 50%˜90% of a maximum value of the driving magnetic field intersecting with the driving coil while the lens holder moves toward the imaged object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignees: Micro Win Tech Inc., Largan Precision Co., Ltd., Kokichi Terajima
    Inventor: Kokichi Terajima
  • Patent number: 7936523
    Abstract: A lens drive device may include a support body, a movable body having a lens, a magnetic drive mechanism for magnetically driving the movable body in a lens optical axis direction, and a spring member connected between the support body and the movable body. The magnetic drive mechanism includes a coil held by the movable body and both end parts of the coil are electrically connected to different spring pieces of the spring member through terminals. The support body includes an insulation member which holds the terminals, and each of the terminals includes an outside connecting terminal part which is located on an outer side of the insulation member, and a long elongated connecting part which is extended along an inner wall of the insulation member from the outside connecting terminal part and connected with the spring piece of the spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7936526
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lens driving apparatus. The lens driving apparatus includes a base formed at a center thereof with a first opening; a housing coupled with the base and having a second opening corresponding to the first opening; a yoke installed on the base and including a horizontal plate having a third opening corresponding to the first opening and a vertical plate protruding upward from the horizontal plate; a bobbin movably installed in the yoke and coupled with a lens module; a coil fixedly disposed around the bobbin; a plurality of magnets provided at the vertical plate of the yoke to face the coil; and a spring installed on at least one of upper and lower portions of the yoke to return the bobbin, which has moved up due to interaction between the magnet and the coil, to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Ok Park, Sang Jun Min, Sang Hee Lee
  • Patent number: RE43465
    Abstract: A lens driving apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a substantially cylindrical yoke 3; a base 5 to which the yoke 3 is attached; a carrier 7 having a lens; a coil 10; and a magnet 13, wherein the carrier 7 is moved in a direction of an optical axis of a lens by electromagnetic force generated by passing current through the coil 10, the base 5 is substantially square-shaped as viewed from a plane, the yoke 3 is placed at an inner position of the base 5, the yoke 3 has an outer peripheral wall 3a and an annular inner peripheral wall 3b to be spaced to each other, each magnet is placed between the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall and at a position corresponding to a base corner portion of the base 5, and a space between the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b positioned at a base side portion 3e is made narrower than a space between the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b positioned at the base corner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: Shicoh Co., Ltd., Shicoh Motor (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Shiraki, Naoki Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: RE43644
    Abstract: A lens driving apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a substantially cylindrical yoke 3; a base 5 to which the yoke 3 is attached; a carrier 7 having a lens; a coil 10; and a magnet 13, wherein the carrier 7 is moved in a direction of an optical axis of a lens by electromagnetic force generated by passing current through the coil 10, the base 5 is substantially square-shaped as viewed from a plane, the yoke 3 is placed at an inner position of the base 5, the yoke 3 has an outer peripheral wall 3a and an annular inner peripheral wall 3b to be spaced to each other, each magnet is placed between the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall and at a position corresponding to a base corner portion of the base 5, and a space between the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b positioned at a base side portion 3e is made narrower than a space between the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b positioned at the base corner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: Shicoh Co., Ltd., Shicoh Motor (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Shiraki, Naoki Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: RE44117
    Abstract: A lens driving apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a substantially cylindrical yoke 3; a base 5 to which the yoke 3 is attached; a carrier 7 having a lens; a coil 10; and a magnet 13, wherein the carrier 7 is moved in a direction of an optical axis of a lens by electromagnetic force generated by passing current through the coil 10, the base 5 is substantially square-shaped as viewed from a plane, the yoke 3 is placed at an inner position of the base 5, the yoke 3 has an outer peripheral wall 3a and an annular inner peripheral wall 3b to be spaced to each other, each magnet is placed between the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall and at a position corresponding to a base corner portion of the base 5, and a space between the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b positioned at a base side portion 3e is made narrower than a space between the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b positioned at the base corner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Shicoh Co., Ltd., Shicoh Motor (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Shiraki, Naoki Sekiguchi