Patents by Inventor Shinji Minamisawa

Shinji Minamisawa 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).

  • Publication number: 20130201559
    Abstract: A lens drive device may include a first holding body, a second holding body, a fixed body which holds the second holding body, a first drive mechanism to drive the first holding body, a second drive mechanism to drive the second holding body, a third drive mechanism structured to drive the second holding body in a different direction than the second drive mechanism, an elastic member having a fixed part which is fixed to the second holding body and a deformable part, and plural wires in a substantially straight line shape with one end side fixed to the deformable part and the other end side fixed to the fixed body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Minamisawa, Katsushige Yanagisawa, Tatsuki Wade, Tadashi Takeda, Kiyoshi Miyazaki, Hisahiro Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20130182325
    Abstract: Provided is an optical unit with shake correction function wherein it is possible to accurately swing the movable module even when a flexible wiring substrate is connected to the fixing element and movable module. In an optical unit with shake correction function (100), folding portions (415, 425), the extending direction of which is reversed towards the vicinity of the swinging support point (180) of a movable module (300), are provided at the midway portion of a flexible wiring substrate (400) that is connected to the movable module (300) and to a fixing element (200). In the folding portions (415, 425), the overlapping portions of the flexible wiring substrate (400) are fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Minamisawa, Hisahiro Ishihara, Tatsuki Wade, Katsushige Yanagisawa, Shinroku Asakawa, Yoshihiro Hamada, Toshiyuki Karasawa
  • Publication number: 20130128360
    Abstract: An optical unit may include a fixed body, a movable module w rich holds an optical element, a swing support point which swingably supports the movable module, and a shake correction drive mechanism structured to swing the movable module with the swing support point as a swing center. The swing support point may be structured of an abutte d portion of two members in an optical axis direction between a bottom part of the movable module and a bottom part of the fixed body. At least one of the two members may be made of elastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Minamisawa, Shinroku Asakawa, Tatsuki Wade, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Hisahiro Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20130100304
    Abstract: An optical unit may include a fixed body; a movable module which holds an optical element; a swing support point which swingably supports the movable module; a shake correction drive mechanism which swings the movable module with the swing support point as a swing center around two axial lines intersecting an optical axis direction of the optical element between an outer peripheral face of the movable module and the fixed body; a first photo reflector provided between a bottom part of the movable module and the fixed body at a position superposing on one of the two axial lines and that detects displacement of the movable module; and a second photo reflector provided between the bottom part of the movable module and the fixed body at a position superposing on the other of the two axial lines and that detects displacement of the movable module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuki Wade, Shinroku Asakawa, Shinji Minamisawa, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Katsushige Yanagisawa, Yoshihiro Hamada, Hayato Naito, Ryoji Komatsu, Hisahiro Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20130076924
    Abstract: A shake correction device may include a support body to swingably support a camera module; and a shake correction mechanism to correct the shake by swinging the camera module so as to incline an optical axis of the lens with respect to the support body. The support body may include a case body formed in a substantially tube shape. The shake correction mechanism may include a shake correction coil fixed to an inner peripheral face of the case body; a shake correction magnet disposed on an inner peripheral side of the case body; and a spring member having a support body fixing part which is fixed to the support body, a magnet holding part which holds the shake correction magnet, and a spring part which connects the support body fixing part with the magnet holding part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuki Wade, Shinroku Asakawa, Shinji Minamisawa
  • Patent number: 8406617
    Abstract: A photographic optical device may include a movable module having a camera module on which a lens and an imaging element are mounted, a support body, and a shake correction mechanism. The movable module may be provided with a sensor for detecting an inclination of the camera module and a cover member which structures an outer peripheral face of the movable module. The shake correction mechanism may be provided with a swing drive mechanism for swinging the movable module so that the optical axis is inclined. The swing drive mechanism may be provided with a drive magnet and a drive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Katsushige Yanagisawa, Akihiro Nagata, Tadashi Takeda, Shinji Minamisawa, Yuichi Takei, Hisahiro Ishihara, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Kiyoshi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8396357
    Abstract: An optical unit with shake correcting function may include a movable module on which an optical element is mounted, a fixed body which supports the movable module, a shake detection sensor which detects a shake of the movable module, a shake correction magnetic drive mechanism which swings the movable module on the fixed body on a basis of a detection result of the shake detection sensor to correct the shake of the movable module, and a spring member which is connected with the fixed body and the movable module. A stopper mechanism may be structured between the movable module and the fixed body, and the stopper mechanism may moving ranges of the movable module due to the shake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Katsushige Yanagisawa, Hisahiro Ishihara, Shinji Minamisawa, Yuichi Takei, Tadashi Takeda, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Akihiro Nagata, Kiyoshi Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20120250156
    Abstract: An optical unit with a shake correcting function may include a fixed body, a movable body holding an optical element, a swing support point supporting the movable body at a position between a rear end portion of the movable body and the fixed body so that the movable body is swingable, a plate-shaped spring member connected with the fixed body and the movable body on a front side for urging the movable body toward the swing support point, a shake correction drive mechanism for swinging the movable body on the front side, and a stopper mechanism in which a protruded part protruded from one of the fixed body and the movable body is capable of abutting with the other between the shake correction drive mechanism and the swing support point for determining a movable range when the movable body is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinroku Asakawa, Shinji Minamisawa, Tatsuki Wade
  • Patent number: 8279289
    Abstract: An optical unit with shake correcting function may include a movable module having a lens, a fixed body supporting the movable module, a shake detection sensor for detecting shake of the movable module, and at least one pair of magnetic drive mechanism for shake correction which is structured on both sides of the movable module so that the movable module is swung with respect to the fixed body on the basis of detection result of the shake detection sensor to correct the shake of the movable module. The magnetic drive mechanism for shake correction is disposed so that a shake correction magnet is held by the fixed body and a shake correction coil is held by the movable module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Nagata, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Yuichi Takei, Tadashi Takeda, Hisahiro Ishihara, Shinji Minamisawa, Katsushige Yanagisawa, Kiyoshi Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20120229926
    Abstract: The lens drive device is equipped with a first supporting body that holds the lens and is movable in the direction of the optical axis, a second supporting body that holds the first supporting body, a fixed body that holds the second supporting body in a manner enabling movement in directions that are roughly orthogonal to the optical axis direction, a first drive mechanism for driving the first supporting body, a second drive mechanism for driving the second supporting body in a first direction, and a third drive mechanism for driving the second supporting body in a second direction. The first supporting body is supported by the second supporting body by means of first supporting members (8, 9), which are formed from an elastic material; and the second supporting body is supported by the fixed body by means of second supporting members, which are formed from an elastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuki Wade, Katsushige Yanagisawa, Shinji Minamisawa, Tadashi Takeda, Kiyoshi Miyazaki, Hisahiro Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20120224840
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical unit with a shake correction function which is capable of suppressing interference with swinging of a movable module due to the rigidity of a wiring material and a repelling force generated when the wiring material is deformed, even when the wiring material is extended from the movable module. The optical unit uses a flexible wiring board as the wiring material for electrically interconnecting the movable module and outside. In the flexible wiring board, the connecting portion of a movable-side connecting section and an extending unit is provided, in the optical axis direction, on a side where the swing center of the movable module is positioned with respect to the position of the center of supporting a spring member to the movable module. The swing center, the connecting portion, and a fixed-side connecting section are at the same position in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Minamisawa, Yoshihiro Hamada, Katsushige Yanagisawa, Shinroku Asakawa, Hisahiro Ishihara, Tadashi Takeda, Kiyoshi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8238736
    Abstract: Provided is a photographing optical device, which is able to reliably correct an unintentional movement by hand of a user by improving the constitution of a camera unit driving mechanism for correcting the deflection of a camera unit. In order that a camera unit is made to be rocked to correct the unintentional movement, a photographing optical device includes a first camera unit drive mechanism and a second camera unit drive mechanism, which are so disposed at two side portions sandwiching a pivot portion therebetween as to make a pair. In these camera unit drive mechanisms, camera unit driving magnets are held on the side of the camera unit as a movable body side, and camera unit driving coils are held on the side of a stationary body. The camera unit is pushed toward the pivot portion by a gimbal spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Tsuruta, Kiyoshi Miyazaki, Tadashi Takeda, Hisahiro Ishihara, Katsushige Yanagisawa, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Yuichi Takei, Akihiro Nagata, Shinji Minamisawa
  • Patent number: 8224169
    Abstract: An optical imaging device, wherein an imaging unit is displaced to correct the vibrations, and the imaging unit is supported on a stationary object by a total of four suspension wires. A first imaging unit drive mechanism and a second imaging unit drive mechanism are provided as a pair at two positions on either side of the optical axis L. In the imaging unit drive mechanisms, imaging unit drive magnets, are held on the imaging unit side, which is the movable side, and imaging unit drive coils, are held on the stationary object side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Tsuruta, Kiyoshi Miyazaki, Tadashi Takeda, Hisahiro Ishihara, Katsushige Yanagisawa, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Yuichi Takei, Akihiro Nagata, Shinji Minamisawa
  • Publication number: 20120020654
    Abstract: A photographic optical device may include a movable module having a camera module on which a lens and an imaging element are mounted, a support body, and a shake correction mechanism. The movable module may be provided with a sensor for detecting an inclination of the camera module and a cover member which structures an outer peripheral face of the movable module. The shake correction mechanism may be provided with a swing drive mechanism for swinging the movable module so that the optical axis is inclined. The swing drive mechanism may be provided with a drive magnet and a drive coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsushige Yanagisawa, Akihiro Nagata, Tadashi Takeda, Shinji Minamisawa, Yuichi Takei, Hisahiro Ishihara, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Kiyoshi Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20110262121
    Abstract: An optical unit with shake correcting function may include a movable module on which an optical element is mounted, a fixed body which supports the movable module, a shake detection sensor which detects a shake of the movable module, a shake correction magnetic drive mechanism which swings the movable module on the fixed body on a basis of a detection result of the shake detection sensor to correct the shake of the movable module, and a spring member which is connected with the fixed body and the movable module. A stopper mechanism may be structured between the movable module and the fixed body, and the stopper mechanism may moving ranges of the movable module due to the shake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsushige Yanagisawa, Hisahiro Ishihara, Shinji Minamisawa, Yuichi Takei, Tadashi Takeda, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Akihiro Nagata, Kiyoshi Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20110262122
    Abstract: An imaging optical device may include a movable module having a lens drive device on which a lens and an imaging element are mounted; a support body for supporting the movable module; a rocking drive mechanism for rocking the movable module; and a plate spring for rockably supporting the movable module. The plate spring is provided with a holding section for holding the movable module, a fixed section fixed to the support body, and a spring section for connecting the holding section and the fixed section to each other. The spring section can deform in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis and in the direction of the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Minamisawa, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Yuichi Takei, Tadashi Takeda, Akihiro Nagata, Hisahiro Ishihara, Kiyoshi Miyazaki, Katsushige Yanagisawa
  • 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: 7986873
    Abstract: An optical unit with shake correcting function may include a movable module on which at least an optical element is mounted, a fixed body which supports the movable module, a shake detection sensor which detects a shake of the movable module, a drive mechanism for shake correction for swinging the movable module on the fixed body on the basis of a detection result of the shake detection sensor to correct the shake of the movable module, and a control section which controls the drive mechanism for shake correction on the basis of the detection result of the shake detection sensor. The shake detection sensor is a gyroscope mounted on the movable module and the control section controls the drive mechanism for shake correction so as to cancel the shake detected by the gyroscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventors: Hisahiro Ishihara, Toshiyuki Karasawa, Shinji Minamisawa, Yuichi Takei, Tadashi Takeda, Katsushige Yanagisawa, Akihiro Nagata, Kiyoshi Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20110103782
    Abstract: Provided is a photographing optical device, which is able to reliably correct an unintentional movement by hand of a user by improving the constitution of a camera unit driving mechanism for correcting the deflection of a camera unit. In order that a camera unit is made to be rocked to correct the unintentional movement, a photographing optical device includes a first camera unit drive mechanism and a second camera unit drive mechanism, which are so disposed at two side portions sandwiching a pivot portion therebetween as to make a pair. In these camera unit drive mechanisms, camera unit driving magnets are held on the side of the camera unit as a movable body side, and camera unit driving coils are held on the side of a stationary body. The camera unit is pushed toward the pivot portion by a gimbal spring, which is provided with a plurality of arm portions extending mutually in the same circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshifumi TSURUTA, Kiyoshi MIYAZAKI, Tadashi TAKEDA, Hisahiro ISHIHARA, Katsushige YANAGISAWA, Toshiyuki KARASAWA, Yuichi TAKEI, Akihiro NAGATA, Shinji MINAMISAWA
  • Publication number: 20110097062
    Abstract: Provided is an optical imaging device which improves the structure of an imaging unit drive mechanism for vibration correction in an imaging unit and can reliably correct the vibrations. An optical imaging device, wherein an imaging unit is displaced to correct the vibrations, and the imaging unit is supported on a stationary object by a total of four suspension wires. A first imaging unit drive mechanism and a second imaging unit drive mechanism are provided as a pair at two positions on either side of the optical axis L. In the imaging unit drive mechanisms, imaging unit drive magnets, are held on the imaging unit side, which is the movable side, and imaging unit drive coils, are held on the stationary object side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshifumi TSURUTA, Kiyoshi MIYAZAKI, Tadashi TAKEDA, Hisahiro ISHIHARA, Katsushige YANAGISAWA, Toshiyuki KARASAWA, Yuichi TAKEI, Akihiro NAGATA, Shinji MINAMISAWA