Abstract: To enable continuous operational control of the blade member with high resolution and good accuracy, even when achieving miniaturization and thickness reduction in a blade driving device, through enabling smooth movement of a movable member in a blade driving device. A blade driving device 1 comprises: a base member 2 that has an opening 2A; one or a plurality of blade members 3 that operate so as to advance into the opening 2A or withdraw from the opening 2A; a driving member 4 that moves within a plane that is perpendicular to the optical axis that passes through the opening 2A, to drive the blade member 3; and supporting members 7 that are provided between the base member 2 and the driving member 4, so as to provide sliding support or elastic support of the driving member 4 in a state that is separated from the base member 2.

Abstract: To enable correction or adjustment of a curtain travel curve in a case of driving an opening and closing blade by a power source in which a motor mechanism and a spring mechanism are combined. Provided are the motor mechanism that generates a traveling torque of the opening and closing blade of a mechanical shutter provided in an incident light path to an imaging element by electric conduction to a coil, and the spring mechanism that generates the traveling torque of the opening and closing blade together with the motor mechanism. In this case, a control unit capable of individually controlling a time length from the start of the electric conduction to the coil to the start of traveling of the opening and closing blade, and a value of a current to be supplied to the coil is provided.

Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a light transmission band change unit comprising: a base including a first axis; a blade arranged on the base and including a body, which has a first hole having a lens and an infrared pass filter arranged therein, a second hole having an infrared cut filter arranged therein, and a third hole into which the first axis is inserted; a magnet arranged between the base and the blade; a core coupled with the base and having a coil arranged thereon; and a blade cover including an upper plate arranged on the blade so as to have a fourth hole formed at a position corresponding to the lens, wherein at least a portion of the lens is arranged within the fourth hole.

Abstract: Provided are a stop control device, a stop control method, a stop control program, an exposure control device, an exposure control method, an exposure control program, an interchangeable lens, a camera main body, and a camera capable of setting accurately a target opening diameter in a short time. In a case where a stop is set to the target opening diameter, a driving stop position of a stop motor at which an opening diameter reaches the target opening diameter in a case where the stop motor is driven at a first speed is A, and a variation width of the opening diameter caused in a case where the opening diameter reaches the target opening diameter by driving the stop motor (36) at a second speed faster than the first speed is X. The driving stop position of the stop motor is A, and the stop motor is driven at a first speed in a section from the start of driving to a position P is driven at the second speed, and the stop motor is driven at the first speed in a section after the position P.

Abstract: An actuator driver for a voice coil motor (VCM) includes a digital converter configured to convert a VCM driving control code into a plurality of conversion codes including at least a first to nth conversion codes, during a predetermined period of time, a digital-to-analog converter configured to sequentially generate an analog signal according to each of the plurality of conversion codes during the predetermined time to actuate a VCM actuator to a target position, and a current amplifier configured amplify the analog signal to generate a driving signal and provide the driving signal to the VCM actuator, wherein the sequential generation of the analog signal includes increasing a level of the analog signal in response to one of the conversion codes and decreasing a level of the analog signal in response to another one of the conversion codes.

Abstract: A camera module is provided. The camera module includes a housing, a lens assembly received in the housing and including at least one lens, an aperture including an aperture blade having an opening for adjusting an amount of external light incident on the at least one lens and a rotary shaft formed on a side of the aperture blade, in which the rotary shaft is coupled to the lens assembly such that the aperture blade is rotated about the rotary shaft, a magnet disposed on the aperture so as to be adjacent to the rotary shaft, at least one coil disposed on one surface of the housing so as to face the magnet, control circuitry that rotates the aperture using the coil, and a lens driving unit that moves the lens assembly in an optical axis direction of the lens.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a base plate defining a shutter opening having a central axis, and a drive assembly coupled to the base plate. The drive assembly includes a rotatable pinion gear, and a drive rack mating with the pinion gear and moveable in a substantially linear direction in response to rotation of the pinion gear. The shutter assembly also includes a plurality of shutter blades operably connected to the drive rack. The plurality of shutter blades are configured to rotate between an open position exposing the shutter opening and a closed position substantially occluding the shutter opening in response to movement of the drive rack in the substantially linear direction.

Abstract: A shutter assembly comprises a base coupled to a photosensor assembly, a flexure device supported by the base, and a shutter arm rotatably coupled to the base via the flexure device. An actuation mechanism is coupled to the shutter arm via the flexure device, and is operable, upon application of an electric field, to rotate the shutter arm from a first position to a second position (or to a third position) to manage light relative to a photosensitive device of the photosensor assembly. Upon rotation of the shutter arm to the second position, the flexure device stores energy such that, upon removal of the electric field, the flexure device releases the stored energy to return the shutter arm to the first position. A keeper magnet can be provided to maintain the shutter arm in the second (actuated) position, so that the electric field can be removed while the keeper magnet maintains a magnetic force to keep the shutter arm in the second position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aperture unit having an optical axis. The aperture unit includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, a first blade and a driving component. The movable portion is movably connected to the fixed portion, the first blade movably connects to the movable portion and the fixed portion, and the driving component connects to the movable portion to move the movable portion relative to the fixed portion in a first moving dimension. When the movable portion is moved relative to the fixed portion in the first moving dimension, the first blade is driven by the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion in a second moving dimension, and the first moving dimension and the second moving dimension are different.

Abstract: A camera module includes a housing, a lens module including a yoke and disposed in the housing, an iris module including a plurality of blades and configured to form N apertures having different sizes using the plurality of blades, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2, the iris module being disposed in the housing above the lens module, and an iris driver including a driving coil, and a magnet unit configured to be movable reciprocally in a linear direction and including a driving magnet opposing the driving coil and the yoke, wherein the yoke is configured to enable the magnet unit to be fixed at N positions along a movement path of the magnet unit.

Abstract: A shutter device includes: a first light shielding member disposed at a position further frontward relative to an image-capturing surface of an image sensor, which blocks a light flux from a subject by traveling along a predetermined direction of travel; and a second light shielding member disposed at a position further frontward relative to the image-capturing surface of the image sensor, which blocks the light flux by traveling along the direction of travel, wherein: at least either a length of a light shielding range of the first light shielding member, measured along the direction of travel, or a length of a light shielding range of the second light shielding member, measured along the direction of travel, is smaller than a length of the image-capturing surface along the direction of travel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a magnetic circuit system. The magnetic circuit system comprises a main magnet assembly, the main magnet assembly includes a first main magnet, a second magnet spaced with the first main magnet, and a soft magnet clamped between the first main magnet and the second main magnet, poles of the first and second main magnets with a same polarity are opposite to each other, and the magnetic circuit system further comprises a clamping portion configured to fix the main magnet assembly. The present disclosure further provides a speaker using the magnetic circuit system. In the speaker provided by the present disclosure, through adding a clamping portion in the magnetic circuit system, the reliability of the magnetic circuit system can be enhanced, thereby improving acoustics performance of the speaker.

Abstract: An iris of a mobile terminal includes a cover having a through hole therein and forming an internal space, a first blade disposed in the internal space and having a first through hole communicating with the through hole, a second blade disposed to overlap the first blade in at least a portion thereof within the internal space, communicating with the through hole, and having a second through hole formed to adjust a region in which light is incident through interference with the first through hole, and a link member connected to one end portion of each of the first and second blades and varying an aperture of the iris by moving at least one of the first and second blades.

Abstract: An embedded linear motor drive for an IR camera comprising linear motor components that integrates into a sliding shutter is disclosed. The linear motor components can be a linear array of magnets, or a series of ridges or gear teeth. A motor drive is aligned with the linear motor components. The drive can be a series of coils connected to a power source that can move the shutter when the coils are energized in series. The drive can also be a pinion shaft with a friction wheel at one end or pinion gear that can connect to the ridges or gear teeth and move the shutter when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: An embedded linear motor drive for an IR camera composing linear motor components that integrates into a sliding shutter is disclosed. The linear motor components can be a linear array of magnets, or a series of ridges or gear teeth. A motor drive is aligned with the linear motor components. The drive can be a series of coils connected to a power source that can move the shutter when the coils are energized in series. The drive can also be a pinion shaft with a friction wheel at one end or pinion gear that can connect to the ridges or gear teeth and move the shutter when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an upper substrate and a lower substrate, each of which has an optical aperture, at least one light control unit, a spacer arranged between the upper substrate and the lower substrate to provide a space in which the light control unit can move, and a drive unit arranged on the upper substrate to drive the light control unit. The drive unit includes a magnet arranged at a center of rotation of the light control unit and an electromagnetic drive source including a coil core and a winding coil, the coil core being arranged in such a way as to be opposed to the magnet. A positioning member is provided on the upper substrate. The distance between the coil core and the magnet is kept constant by the positioning member.

Abstract: When a stepping motor is used as a driving source for a shutter device, if the stepping motor loses synchronization because of variations in load during driving or the like, it becomes unable to rotate a driving ring at that time, and this disables an exposure operation. In a first zone where a driven member is driven, but a light shielding member remains in a closed state or an open state, the motor drives the driven member in open-loop driving mode. In a second zone where the driven member is driven, and thus the light shielding member moves to the closed state or the open state, the motor drives the driven member in feed-back driving mode.

Abstract: An actuator includes a stator and a movable component movably mounted in the stator. The stator includes a yoke, a printed circuit board disposed at one axial end of the yoke, a bobbin mounted inside the yoke, windings wound about the bobbin; and multiple terminals mounted to the bobbin to electrically connect the windings ends to the printed circuit board. The bobbin includes a plurality of spaced extending portions extending towards the printed circuit board. The terminals are mounted to a respective end of the extending portions of the bobbin that face the printed circuit board. The terminals are spaced from the yoke. A free length of the terminal between the bobbin and the printed circuit board is short enough to avoid bending which may result in a short circuit between the terminals and the yoke.

Abstract: An embedded linear motor drive for an IR camera composing linear motor components that integrates into a sliding shutter is disclosed. The linear motor components can be a linear array of magnets, or a series of ridges or gear teeth. A motor drive is aligned with the linear motor components. The drive can he a series of coils connected to a power source that can move the shutter when the coils are energized in series. The drive can also be a pinion shaft with a friction wheel at one end or pinion gear that can connect to the ridges or gear teeth and move the shutter when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A stepping motor includes a stator, a rotor which is rotatable to the stator, a rotor-side position regulation part which is fixed to the rotor and is rotated together with the rotor, and a stator-side position regulation part which is fixed to the stator. The rotor includes a rotary shaft, and a rotor magnet which is mounted on an outer periphery of the rotary shaft. The rotary shaft is integrally formed with the rotor magnet by resin. The stator-side position regulation part includes a first stator-side position regulation part which contacts the rotor-side position regulation part at a first position to regulate a rotation of the rotor in one direction, and a second stator-side position regulation part which contacts the rotor-side position regulation part at a second position different from the first position to regulate a rotation of the rotor in an opposite direction to the one direction.

Abstract: An optical shutter apparatus has a shutter blade pivotable between first and second positions. The shutter blade in the first position blocks at least a portion of a light path. A stepper motor pivots the shutter blade to first or second positions. A magnetic shutter blade retention apparatus has a first movable member with a first surface, coupled to the shutter blade. A first stationary member is spaced apart from the shutter blade and is magnetically attracted to the first stationary member when the stepper motor is de-energized. When the shutter blade is pivoted to the first position, a point on the first surface is spaced apart from the first stationary member by a first distance; when the shutter blade is pivoted to the second position, the point on the first surface is spaced apart from the first stationary member by a second distance that is less than the first.

Abstract: An embedded linear motor drive for an IR camera comprising linear motor components that integrates into a sliding shutter is disclosed. The linear motor components can be a linear array of magnets, or a series of ridges or gear teeth. A motor drive is aligned with the linear motor components. The drive can be a series of coils connected to a power source that can move the shutter when the coils are energized in series. The drive can also be a pinion shaft with a friction wheel at one end or pinion gear that can connect to the ridges or gear teeth and move the shutter when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a blade opening or closing the opening; an electromagnet including an iron core and a coil for energizing the iron core; and a drive lever holding an iron piece capable of being adsorbed to the iron core, capable of moving such that iron piece is moved into and away from the iron core, and driving the blade, wherein a plating process is performed on the iron core and the iron piece, a Vickers hardness of a plating of the iron piece is greater than that of a plating of the iron core, and a difference in the Vickers hardness between the plating of the iron piece and the plating of the iron core is 100 HV or more.

Abstract: A digital camera for wild game animals includes a camera having automatic flash, focus, aperture and shutter speed and film advance functions. The camera is mounted within a camera housing adapted for outdoor installation and protection from adverse weather conditions. An electronic control circuit mounted within the camera housing is operably connected to the camera and includes a memory device and a microprocessor for storing and performing a set of programmable functions. The camera is activated by a passive infrared sensor detecting body heat of the animal or group of animals. An electromechanical device mounted within the camera housing selectively inserts an optical lens filter, such as day optical filter and a night optical filter, into an optical path of the camera in accordance with light intensity and/or a signal from a user or timer.

Abstract: An optical shutter apparatus has a shutter blade that is movable between a first position, blocking at least a portion of an aperture and a second position spaced apart from the first position. A rotary actuator has a stator and a magnetic rotor element that is coupled to the shutter blade. The rotary actuator is energizable for moving the shutter blade between the first and second positions, wherein the rotor element rotates about an axis that lies within the stator. At least one permanent magnet is coupled to the stator and provides a magnetic field that biases the stator to provide a continuous urging force on the magnetic rotor element.

Abstract: A magnetic driver includes a rotor magnet, a coil bobbin around which a coil is wound, and which has a through hole in a central portion, a yoke including a straight portion to be inserted into the through hole, and an arcuate portion connected to a distal end of the straight portion, a support member which rotatably supports the rotor magnet, and a thrust receiving member which includes an engaging portion to be engaged with the support member, has one surface which regulates one end of the rotor magnet in a thrust direction, and the other surface on which the coil bobbin is placed, and is held between the coil bobbin and the arcuate portion of the yoke. The yoke is assembled as an integrated yoke by inserting the straight portion into the through hole, and fixing the straight portion to the arcuate portion as another member.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: a board including an opening; a blade opening or closing the opening; an electromagnet including an iron core and a coil for energizing the iron core; and a drive lever holding an iron piece capable of being adsorbed to the iron core, capable of moving such that iron piece is moved into and away from the iron core, and driving the blade, wherein a plating process is performed on the iron core and the iron piece, a Vickers hardness of a plating of the iron piece is greater than that of a plating of the iron core, and a difference in the Vickers hardness between the plating of the iron piece and the plating of the iron core is 100 HV or more.

Abstract: A light quantity adjustment apparatus has a board including an exposure aperture, blade members adjusting a quantity of light passing through the exposure aperture, and a driving device for driving the blade members. The driving device is provided with an electromagnetic coil, a magnet rotor rotating by applying a current to the electromagnetic coil, a rotating shaft, a coil frame having bearings, a reference surface for positioning formed in the coil frame, and a shield yoke supported relative to the reference surface and magnetically shielding the magnet rotor. The board includes a support plane supporting the blade members, a concave portion in the support plane to store the driving member, a support portion in the concave portion to support one end of the shield yoke, and a holding device for storing and supporting the driving member in the concave portion.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a drive ring having a permanent magnet disposed thereon. The shutter assembly also includes a solenoid defining a gap between first and second magnetic poles thereof, the drive ring being disposed coplanar with the solenoid and being rotatable in response to a magnetic field created between the first and second magnetic poles. The shutter assembly also includes a plurality of shutter blades configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of the drive ring. The shutter assembly further includes a base plate separating the plurality of shutter blades from at least one of the drive ring and the solenoid.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a drive ring having a permanent magnet disposed thereon. The shutter assembly also includes a solenoid defining a gap between first and second magnetic poles thereof, the drive ring being disposed coplanar with the solenoid and being rotatable in response to a magnetic field created between the first and second magnetic poles. The shutter assembly also includes a plurality of shutter blades configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of the drive ring. The shutter assembly further includes a base plate separating the plurality of shutter blades from at least one of the drive ring and the solenoid.

Abstract: A shutter device is disclosed, the device including a base formed with a lens hole through which reflective light from an object passes, a first blade and a second blade rotating about a hinge provided at the base to open or close the lens hole, and an actuator provided with a linearly-shifting slider at an area eccentrically positioned from the hinge to allow the first and second blades to be activated with rotation moment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module including: a shutter including a blocking unit for blocking progress of light, a fixing unit for preventing arbitrary motion of the blocking unit, and a magnet for rotating the blocking unit; a pair of electromagnets mounted about the magnet to rotate the magnet in response to changes in magnetic polarity; and a cylindrical fixing pole for providing an axis for rotating the magnet, wherein the magnet comprises a hole, the hole for inserting the fixing pole being formed through a portion adjacent to a center of the magnet.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a drive ring having a permanent magnet disposed thereon. The shutter assembly also includes a solenoid defining a gap between first and second magnetic poles thereof, the drive ring being disposed coplanar with the solenoid and being rotatable in response to a magnetic field created between the first and second magnetic poles. The shutter assembly also includes a plurality of shutter blades configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of the drive ring. The shutter assembly further includes a base plate separating the plurality of shutter blades from at least one of the drive ring and the solenoid.

Abstract: A shutter device and an image capturing apparatus including the shutter device are provided. The shutter device includes at least one shutter blade assembly, each of the at least one shutter blade assembly including at least one shutter blade that opens and closes the shutter opening and a driving link that drives the shutter blades, and at least one actuators for rotating the driving link, wherein a rotation center of the actuator is eccentric from a rotation center of the driving link.

Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a blade; a drive source that drives the blade; and a chassis that has an opening opened and closed by the blade and that houses the blade and the drive source. The drive source includes: a rotor that is rotatably supported; a stator around which a coil for excitation is wound and which applies a rotational force to the rotor. The stator is arranged to surround a periphery of the opening and has a rectangular shape.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging element, a shutter mechanism, an actuator, a position detector, and a drive controller. The shutter mechanism is switchable between an open and a closed state to control the light incident on the imaging element. The actuator is configured to drive the shutter mechanism. The position detector is configured to detect the time between when the actuator begins storing the driving force and when the shutter mechanism switches from the closed state. The drive controller is configured to direct the actuator to begin storing the driving force while image data is being read from the imaging element, and to control the actuator so as to delay the time when the shutter mechanism is switched from the closed state if the position detector detects that the shutter mechanism is in the first state prior to completion of the image data being read from the imaging element.

Abstract: An embedded linear motor drive for an IR camera comprising linear motor components that integrates into a sliding shutter is disclosed. The linear motor components can be a linear array of magnets, or a series of ridges or gear teeth. A motor drive is aligned with the linear motor components. The drive can be a series of coils connected to a power source that can move the shutter when the coils are energized in series. The drive can also be a pinion shaft with a friction wheel at one end or pinion gear that can connect to the ridges or gear teeth and move the shutter when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A shutter base plate is formed with a first shaft parallel to an optical axis of a photographic light flux, and a blade lever rotates about the first shaft to drive a first blade and a second blade. A drive lever rotates about the first shaft to drive the blade lever. A second cam gear rotates about a second shaft formed on the shutter base plate in parallel to the first shaft to charge a mirror drive spring. A first cam gear rotates about a third shaft formed on the shutter base plate in parallel to the first shaft to switch between a state in which the blade lever is held so that the first blade and the second blade close the aperture and a state in which holding of the blade lever is released.

Abstract: A camera blade drive device includes a base plate 10 that has an aperture 10a forming an optical path, a blade member 20 that is supported by the base plate 10 and opens or closes the aperture 10a, and a driving ring 30 provided to rotate relative to the base plate 10. The camera blade drive is configured to operate the blade member 20 that is linked to the rotating driving ring 30. A permanent magnet 31 is provided on the driving ring 30 and a coil 11 rotates the driving ring 30 by magnetic force generated when the coil 11 is conducting. A magnetic member 12 holds the driving ring 30 in a predetermined position by magnetic attraction with the permanent magnet 31 when the coil 11 is non-conducting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module including: a shutter including a blocking unit for blocking progress of light, a fixing unit for preventing arbitrary motion of the blocking unit, and a magnet for rotating the blocking unit; a pair of electromagnets mounted about the magnet to rotate the magnet in response to changes in magnetic polarity; and a cylindrical fixing pole for providing an axis for rotating the magnet, wherein the magnet comprises a hole, the hole for inserting the fixing pole being formed through a portion adjacent to a center of the magnet.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a plurality of shutter blades movable between an open position and a closed position, a drive ring having first and second oppositely-facing sides, at least one of the shutter blades being movably coupled to the first side, and a first permanent magnet coupled to the second side of the drive ring. The shutter assembly also includes a first solenoid selectively energizable to alternately attract and repel the first permanent magnet along an arcuate path beneath the first solenoid, thereby transitioning the plurality of shutter blades between the open and closed positions. The shutter assembly also includes a sensor assembly configured to detect a location of the first permanent magnet along the path.

Abstract: A mechanical shutter includes a base including a plate with an aperture and a protruding positioning projection. A core on the surface surrounds the aperture and includes a first end and a second end. The positioning projection is arranged between the first end and the second end, on one corner of the surface. A coil surrounds the core and a blade and a permanent magnet are pivoted on the positioning projection. When receiving current, the coil magnetizes to the core to generate a magnetic force and rotates the permanent magnet, and the blade, to cover and expose the aperture. An electronic device having the mechanical shutter is also provided.

Abstract: A camera shutter device and an optical apparatus having the same are disclosed. The camera shutter device includes a pair of cores, each wrapped by a coil and having a distal end facing the other, wherein each coil is formed at the distal end with an electromagnetic force line generating unit. A magnet comprising a first magnet and a second magnet is interposed between the pair of cores. The magnet linearly and reciprocally moves in a direction perpendicular to the electromagnetic force line generating unit, and a slider opens and shuts a shutter blade as the magnet linearly and reciprocally moves, whereby miniaturization and thinning of the shutter device can be realized, and an opening/shutting operation can be stably performed.

Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a board that has an opening; a blade that opens and closes the opening; and a drive source that drives the blade. The drive source includes a rotor rotatably supported and a stator for applying a rotational force to the rotor. The stator, around which a coil for excitation is wound, has a fitting hole fitted with a projective portion formed on the board and has a rectangular shape.

Abstract: A blade drive device includes: a blade; a drive source that drives the blade; and a chassis that has an opening opened and closed by a driving of the blade, and that houses the blade and the drive source. The drive source includes: a rotor that is rotatably supported; and a stator around which a coil for excitation is wound and which applies a rotational force to the rotor. The stator is formed along an inner side surface of the chassis and has a rectangular shape.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a drive ring having a permanent magnet disposed thereon. The shutter assembly also includes a solenoid defining a gap between first and second magnetic poles thereof, the drive ring being disposed coplanar with the solenoid and being rotatable in response to a magnetic field created between the first and second magnetic poles. The shutter assembly also includes a plurality of shutter blades configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of the drive ring. The shutter assembly further includes a base plate separating the plurality of shutter blades from at least one of the drive ring and the solenoid.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes: an electromagnet; a board including an opening; a blade movable between a position where the blade recedes from the opening and a position where the blade covers at least part of the opening; and a drive lever driving the blade, and including: a spindle portion provided at its one end with a flange portion; an iron piece provided at the other end of the spindle portion and capable of being adsorbed to the electromagnet; a support portion including a through hole through which the spindle portion penetrates with a play; and a guide portion provided along the iron piece.

Abstract: A shutter drive device includes a base member, an actuator, a first drive member, and a second drive member. The actuator is fixed to the base member and produces a driving force to drive the shutter mechanism. The first drive member is rotatably supported by the base member and configured to be rotated by the driving force. The second drive member is supported by the base member so as to be linearly movable in a first direction and configured to transmit the driving force of the actuator to the shutter mechanism. The first drive member has a gear component to drive the second drive member in the first direction, and a cam component configured to hold the second drive member in a specific position. The second drive member has a rack gear configured to mesh with the gear component, and a cam follower configured to contact the cam component.

Abstract: An exemplary mechanical shutter includes a base with a through hole defined therein, a blade arranged on the base, two shape memory alloy units, and a control unit. Each of the two shape memory alloy units includes a first end and a opposite second end. The first end of the shape memory alloy element is attached to the base, and the second end is attached to the blade. The control unit is configured for controlling the two shape memory alloy units to selectively deform into a first shape, or into a second shape. In particular, the two shape memory alloy units each straighten to a first shape (straight shape) and move the blade to cover the through hole. In addition, the two shape memory alloy units each deform to a second shape (spring coil shape) and thus move the blade away from the through hole to expose the through hole.

Abstract: A robust, compact, lightweight, low energy, low cost, and low noise mechanical mechanism suitable for military and other demanding applications includes a Geneva drive that transitions a camera shutter or other element between two positions and locks the shutter or other element in place between transitions, thereby isolating the remainder of the mechanism from shutter vibrations and torques. Accordingly, the mechanism controlling the Geneva drive need not be especially robust even for military applications, and can be similar in size, weight, energy consumption, and noise to a conventional shutter mechanism. The driving mechanism can include a rotary actuator or a linear actuator with a rack gear. In various embodiments the driving mechanism includes a piezomotor. In certain embodiments, the starting and ending positions of the mechanism are determined by sensors, and in some embodiments the starting and ending positions are adjustable.