Abstract: An image capturing device, including an rectangular image capturing element having long sides and short sides; an image capturing optical system forming an image of a subject on the rectangular image capturing element; a first driving device which moves the rectangular image capturing element in a first direction slanted by a predetermined angle from the long side and the short side of an outer shape of the rectangular image capturing element in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the image capturing optical system; and a second driving device which moves the rectangular image capturing element in a second direction slanted by a predetermine angle from the long side and the short side of the outer shape of the rectangular image capturing element in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the image capturing optical system, but the second direction differs from the first direction.

Abstract: A driving device is adapted to drive a driven member, and includes a driving member, and a linear shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. The driving member has a displacement output portion which is movable in a first axis direction, and a displacement input portion for moving the displacement output portion in the first axis direction in response to an application of a moving force in a second axis direction orthogonal to the first axis direction. The driving member is engaged with the driven member at the displacement output portion. The SMA actuator is disposed in contact with the driving member at least at the displacement input portion to apply the moving force to the displacement input portion.

Abstract: An art of a driving device for appropriately improving a response of an SMA actuator will be provided. A portable telephone 1 has an image stabilization system 10 for driving an image pickup unit 9 by a pair of driving members 15a and 15b functioning as actuators, thereby performing image stabilization. Driving members 15a and 15b are formed as a wire of shape memory alloy (SMA) and when a voltage is applied to both ends and a current is supplied, driving force is generated in the contraction direction. With respect to the wire diameter of the SMAs, the wire diameter of the SMAs is set between 10 ?m and 80 ?m, thus the mountability and response are improved appropriately.

Abstract: An assembling apparatus (manufacturing apparatus) can assemble an actuator (product) in which a shape memory alloy (SMA) is stretched. In the assembly, the SMA is locked by a first holder, a guide is moved along predetermined movement directions while sending the SMA and, after that, the SMA is locked by a second holder. A switch is turned on to pass current from a current source to the SMA via an electrode. The SMA is fixed to two electrodes by caulking members and, after that, an unnecessary portion of the SMA is cut. In such a manner, the actuator is manufactured. Since the SMA is tensioned while current is passed to the SMA as described above, the stretch can be stably performed while suppressing elongation of the SMA. As a result, a product can be manufactured with high quality.

Abstract: An image capturing device, including an rectangular image capturing element having long sides and short sides; an image capturing optical system forming an image of a subject on the rectangular image capturing element; a first driving device which moves the rectangular image capturing element in a first direction slanted by a predetermined angle from the long side and the short side of an outer shape of the rectangular image capturing element in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the image capturing optical system; and a second driving device which moves the rectangular image capturing element in a second direction slanted by a predetermine angle from the long side and the short side of the outer shape of the rectangular image capturing element in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the image capturing optical system, but the second direction differs from the first direction.

Abstract: First, a position control mechanism having a fixed part and a movable part, and a driver that changes position of the movable part relative to the fixed part is prepared. Next, a manufacturing unit having first and second holders and a coupler that couples the first and second holders is prepared. A conductive actuator is held in tension between the first and second holders. Further, the first holder is attached to the movable part and the second holder is attached to the fixed part. After that, the coupler is cut from the manufacturing unit, the first and second holders are separated from each other.

Abstract: An arrangement of the invention includes a base block 16, a cylindrical cam 14, as a rotary member, which is rotatably supported on the base block 16, and includes a contact portion on an outer periphery thereof for outputting a rotating force, a drive gear 21, as an oscillatory ring, which includes a contact portion on an inner periphery thereof, and is oscillated on a plane perpendicular to a rotation axis of the cylindrical cam 14 in contact with the contact portion of the cylindrical cam 14, parallel springs 23 through 26, as a position retainer, for retaining the position of the drive gear 21, and three or more shape metal alloy actuators (SMA) wires 35 through 38, as expandable and contractible actuators, with both ends of the each SMA wire being fixed to the base block 16 for contact with the drive gear 21.

Abstract: An image capturing device, including an rectangular image capturing element having long sides and short sides; an image capturing optical system forming an image of a subject on the rectangular image capturing element; a first driving device which moves the rectangular image capturing element in a first direction slanted by a predetermined angle from the long side and the short side of an outer shape of the rectangular image capturing element in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the image capturing optical system; and a second driving device which moves the rectangular image capturing element in a second direction slanted by a predetermined angle from the long side and the short side of the outer shape of the rectangular image capturing element in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the image capturing optical system, but the second direction differs from the first direction.

Abstract: A shake correction mechanism 1 has an elastic support member 2 for elastically and oscillatingly supporting a lens barrel 10 at one point, and first and second actuators 3a and 3b for applying oscillating forces to the lens barrel 10. When a moment is applied to the lens barrel 10 by the first and second actuators 3a and 3b, the elastic support member 2 is subjected to elastic deformation. Thereby, the lens barrel 10 is oscillated to tilt the optical axis thereof in a desires direction. Thus, the lens barrel 10 is oscillatingly driven without use of a rotary joint or the like as employed in the conventional gimbal mechanism. This arrangement enables to miniaturize the shake correction mechanism.

Abstract: A system of manufacturing an actuator for driving a to-be-driven object by extension/contraction of a shape memory alloy, the system comprising: a mounting unit configured to mount the shape memory alloy between an actuator body and the to-be-driven object; and a heater configured to heat the shape memory alloy mounted by the mounting unit on a mounting path between the actuator body and the to-be-driven object to a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: Drive technology is provided which makes suitable low velocity driving and smooth changing of driving velocity possible and achieves reduced power consumption. In the driving device, the drive unit is driven which engages with drive shaft which moves back and forth in tandem with extension and contraction of the piezoelectric element. In this driving device, when the output cycle for cycle Te is repeated such that the voltages applied to the piezoelectric element 11 are the maximum value (+Vp), the minimum value (?Vp), and the middle value (0V), the movement velocity of the drive unit 13 can be changed by thinning the output cycle at cycle Tf. As a result, suitable low velocity driving can be carried out and power consumption can be reduced in the drive unit.

Abstract: A driving device is adapted to drive a driven member, and includes a driving member, and a linear shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. The driving member has a displacement output portion which is movable in a first axis direction, and a displacement input portion for moving the displacement output portion in the first axis direction in response to an application of a moving force in a second axis direction orthogonal to the first axis direction. The driving member is engaged with the driven member at the displacement output portion. The SMA actuator is disposed in contact with the driving member at least at the displacement input portion to apply the moving force to the displacement input portion.

Abstract: An image capturing device, including an rectangular image capturing element having long sides and short sides; an image capturing optical system forming an image of a subject on the rectangular image capturing element; a first driving device which moves the rectangular image capturing element in a first direction slanted by a predetermined angle from the long side and the short side of an outer shape of the rectangular image capturing element in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the image capturing optical system; and a second driving device which moves the rectangular image capturing element in a second direction slanted by a predetermine angle from the long side and the short side of the outer shape of the rectangular image capturing element in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the image capturing optical system, but the second direction differs from the first direction.

Abstract: A system of manufacturing an actuator for driving a to-be-driven object by extension/contraction of a shape memory alloy, the system comprising: a mounting unit configured to mount the shape memory alloy between an actuator body and the to-be-driven object; and a heater configured to heat the shape memory alloy mounted by the mounting unit on a mounting path between the actuator body and the to-be-driven object to a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: Drive technology is provided which makes suitable low velocity driving and smooth changing of driving velocity possible and achieves reduced power consumption. In the driving device, the drive unit is driven which engages with drive shaft which moves back and forth in tandem with extension and contraction of the piezoelectric element. In this driving device, when the output cycle for cycle Te is repeated such that the voltages applied to the piezoelectric element 11 are the maximum value (+Vp), the minimum value (?Vp), and the middle value (0V), the movement velocity of the drive unit 13 can be changed by thinning the output cycle at cycle Tf. As a result, suitable low velocity driving can be carried out and power consumption can be reduced in the drive unit.

Abstract: An art of a driving device for appropriately improving a response of an SMA actuator will be provided. A portable telephone 1 has an image stabilization system 10 for driving an image pickup unit 9 by a pair of driving members 15a and 15b functioning as actuators, thereby performing image stabilization. Driving members 15a and 15b are formed as a wire of shape memory alloy (SMA) and when a voltage is applied to both ends and a current is supplied, driving force is generated in the contraction direction. With respect to the wire diameter of the SMAs, the wire diameter of the SMAs is set between 10 ?m and 80 ?m, thus the mountability and response are improved appropriately.

Abstract: An arrangement of the invention includes a base block 16, a cylindrical cam 14, as a rotary member, which is rotatably supported on the base block 16, and includes a contact portion on an outer periphery thereof for outputting a rotating force, a drive gear 21, as an oscillatory ring, which includes a contact portion on an inner periphery thereof, and is oscillated on a plane perpendicular to a rotation axis of the cylindrical cam 14 in contact with the contact portion of the cylindrical cam 14, parallel springs 23 through 26, as a position retainer, for retaining the position of the drive gear 21, and three or more shape metal alloy actuators (SMA) wires 35 through 38, as expandable and contractible actuators, with both ends of the each SMA wire being fixed to the base block 16 for contact with the drive gear 21.

Abstract: An assembling apparatus (manufacturing apparatus) can assemble an actuator (product) in which a shape memory alloy (SMA) is stretched. In the assembly, the SMA is locked by a first holder, a guide is moved along predetermined movement directions while sending the SMA and, after that, the SMA is locked by a second holder. A switch is turned on to pass current from a current source to the SMA via an electrode. The SMA is fixed to two electrodes by caulking members and, after that, an unnecessary portion of the SMA is cut. In such a manner, the actuator is manufactured. Since the SMA is tensioned while current is passed to the SMA as described above, the stretch can be stably performed while suppressing elongation of the SMA. As a result, a product can be manufactured with high quality.

Abstract: First, a position control mechanism having a fixed part and a movable part, and a driver that changes position of the movable part relative to the fixed part is prepared. Next, a manufacturing unit having first and second holders and a coupler that couples the first and second holders is prepared. A conductive actuator is held in tension between the first and second holders. Further, the first holder is attached to the movable part and the second holder is attached to the fixed part. After that, the coupler is cut from the manufacturing unit, the first and second holders are separated from each other.

Abstract: A shake correction mechanism 1 has an elastic support member 2 for elastically and oscillatingly supporting a lens barrel 10 at one point, and first and second actuators 3a and 3b for applying oscillating forces to the lens barrel 10. When a moment is applied to the lens barrel 10 by the first and second actuators 3a and 3b, the elastic support member 2 is subjected to elastic deformation. Thereby, the lens barrel 10 is oscillated to tilt the optical axis thereof in a desires direction. Thus, the lens barrel 10 is oscillatingly driven without use of a rotary joint or the like as employed in the conventional gimbal mechanism. This arrangement enables to miniaturize the shake correction mechanism.