Abstract: An optical unit is disclosed which is capable of being easily assembled, enabling its optical element to smoothly move, and preventing friction loss from being generated around its nut member. A lens driving apparatus is provided for moving an optical element holder, which supports an optical element having an optical axis and is movable along a guide member, in an extension direction of the optical axis, using a nut integrally provided at the holder, and a lead screw threadedly coupled to the nut to rotate forward and backward by a driving unit. In the lens driving apparatus, the forward or backward rotation of the motor is transmitted to the lead screw via a reduction gear train. The lead screw is installed to be inclinedly movable with respect to the extension direction of the optical axis about threaded coupling portions of a threaded section of the lead screw and the nut.

Abstract: An optical unit is disclosed which is capable of being easily assembled, enabling its optical element to smoothly move, and preventing friction loss from being generated around its nut member. A lens driving apparatus is provided for moving an optical element holder, which supports an optical element having an optical axis and is movable along a guide member, in an extension direction of the optical axis, using a nut integrally provided at the holder, and a lead screw threadedly coupled to the nut to rotate forward and backward by a driving unit. In the lens driving apparatus, the forward or backward rotation of the motor is transmitted to the lead screw via a reduction gear train. The lead screw is installed to be inclinedly movable with respect to the extension direction of the optical axis about threaded coupling portions of a threaded section of the lead screw and the nut.

Abstract: To provide a position detecting apparatus capable of promoting detection certainty of a position of a movable body, a hand position detecting apparatus of a timepiece capable of promoting detection certainty of a position of a hand and an electronic timepiece having the hand position detecting apparatus. Hand position detecting apparatus of an electronic timepiece include movable bodies constituted by integrally molding conductive portions including conductive carbon nanotube and nonconductive portions including nonconductive carbon nanotube, and probes for detecting that either ones of the conductive portions and the nonconductive portions of the movable bodies are present at detected regions.

Abstract: A calendar display wheel guard for a calendar timepiece, for rotatably mounting a calendar display wheel and for spacing a dial plate of the timepiece from the calendar display wheel. The calendar display wheel guard comprises a body having a bore opening at a pair of opposite ends thereof, a first end portion having a major surface defining a first end face of the wheel guard, and a second end portion for fastening the wheel guard to a back plate. An intermediate portion of the wheel guard, between the first and second end portions thereof, extends through a central opening of the calendar display wheel to mount the display wheel for rotation. The first end of portion of the wheel guard has the maximum diameter of the wheel guard, and the end face of the first end portion of the wheel guard abuts a dial plate of the calendar timepiece so that the first end portion of the wheel guard maintains the dial plate spaced from the calendar display wheel.

Abstract: In an electronic timepiece, a baseplate having a pair of opposed major surfaces, a magnetic shield plate disposed in continuous contact with one of the major surfaces and a stator disposed on the other of the major surfaces. A pin is inserted through the magnetic shield plate, baseplate and stator and includes a head portion bearing against the magnetic shield plate, and is engaged by a screw having a head bearing against the stator for fixing the shield plate, baseplate and stator between the head portion and the screw head. The shield plate includes an inwardly sloped aperture for receiving the head portion of the pin, and the head portion has a tapered peripheral surface complementary to the inwardly sloped surface of the aperture. The head portion is thinner than the shield plate and does not protrude beyond a surface of the shield plate, and because the shield plate is in continuous contact with the base plate it is not deformed by the head portion of the pin bearing thereagainst.

Abstract: The switching mechanism for setting the time in an electronic wrist watch comprises a switch blade actuated by a double-lobe cam which is connected by a lost-motion coupling with a coaxial transmission wheel having at its periphery gear teeth meshing with a winding pinion on a round part of the winding stem which is perpendicular to the axis of the transmission wheel and cam. The winding pinion and a clutch wheel which is rotatable with the winding stem have rectangular teeth which are engageable with each other to connect the winding pinion with the winding stem. A protuberance of a cam spring is engageable with one lobe of the cam to restrain rotation of the cam until the lost-motion coupling reaches the end of its travel. The construction permits its use in a thin watch.