Patents by Inventor Chiraru Katagiri

Chiraru Katagiri has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Driving device
    Patent number: 7808729
    Abstract: A driving device includes a piezoelectric element that expands and contracts by the application of voltage, a driving shaft fixed to one end of the piezoelectric element in a direction of the optical axis, a lens holder fixed to the other end of the piezoelectric element in the direction of the optical axis, a friction portion frictionally engaged with the driving shaft, and a base that supports the driving shaft such that the driving shaft is capable of moving along the optical axis. The friction portion includes a receiving portion and a leaf spring that are arranged in a manner such that the driving shaft extending along the optical axis is clamped therebetween in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Tomihiro Wakayama, Chiraru Katagiri
  • Driving device
    Publication number: 20090128933
    Abstract: A driving device includes a piezoelectric element that expands and contracts by the application of voltage, a driving shaft fixed to one end of the piezoelectric element in a direction of the optical axis, a lens holder fixed to the other end of the piezoelectric element in the direction of the optical axis, a friction portion frictionally engaged with the driving shaft, and a base that supports the driving shaft such that the driving shaft is capable of moving along the optical axis. The friction portion includes a receiving portion and a leaf spring that are arranged in a manner such that the driving shaft extending along the optical axis is clamped therebetween in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Tomihiro Wakayama, Chiraru Katagiri