Abstract: Provides an image blur correction device capable of accurately moving an imaging element, and an imaging device equipped therewith. The image blur correction device of the present invention includes a fixed plate (12); a moving base (14) to which an imaging element (16) is attached; support means (18) supporting a movable member; at least three drive coils (20) disposed on the movable member; a position sensor (24) disposed on the fixed member; at least three drive magnets (22) respectively attached to the fixed member in positions opposing each of the drive coils; detection means (34) for detecting blurring of an optical axis; and control means (36) for sourcing current to each of the drive coils so as to drive the movable member based on the blur of the optical axis and the position of the movable member, thereby controlling blurring of the image formed on the imaging device.

Abstract: An actuator that has a simple mechanism capable of locking a movable member, and a lens unit and a camera with the same. The actuator (10) includes a fixed member (12), a movable member (14) having a locking element (14a), a movable member supporting means (18) for supporting the movable member so as to permit the movable member to move to an arbitrary position in a plane in parallel with the fixed member, a drive mechanism (20a, 20b, 20c, 22) translating and rotating the movable member relative to the fixed member, and an engagement member (15) engaged with the locking element to lock the movable member when the movable member has been rotated to a predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an actuator capable of retaining an image-shake correcting lens in a position(s) at which a calibration of lens optics can be affected, without additional locking means.

Abstract: An actuator, and a lens unit and a camera incorporating the actuator. The actuator includes fixed and movable members, a support supporting the movable member to permit its movement in a plane parallel with the fixed member, at least three actuating coils attached to one of the fixed and movable members, actuating magnets attached to the other of the fixed and movable members in positions corresponding to the actuating coils to apply magnetic force thereto to affect each other when current flows therein, a position sensor detecting a relative position of the movable and fixed members, and a controller producing a coil position command signal based on a command signal to instruct where the movable member is to be moved and controlling the drive current to flow in each of the actuating coils in response to the coil position command signal and the position data detected by the position sensor.

Abstract: A parallel moving device includes a fixed plate provided on a housing side, a moving frame provided on an optical system side, and three pin-shaped members each of which is provided between the fixed plate and the moving frame and has one end coming into contact the fixed plate and the other end coming into contact the moving frame to support these members, the pin-shaped members allowing the moving frame to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical system. Each of these pin-shaped members supports the moving frame in parallel to the fixed plate, has ends that contact the fixed plate and the moving frame and that have curved surfaces, and tilts in the substantially perpendicular direction in response to movement of the moving frame about the one end as a fulcrum.

Abstract: Provides an image blur correction device capable of accurately moving an imaging element, and an imaging device equipped therewith. The image blur correction device of the present invention includes a fixed plate (12); a moving base (14) to which an imaging element (16) is attached; support means (18) supporting a movable member; at least three drive coils (20) disposed on the movable member; a position sensor (24) disposed on the fixed member; at least three drive magnets (22) respectively attached to the fixed member in positions opposing each of the drive coils; detection means (34) for detecting blurring of an optical axis; and control means (36) for sourcing current to each of the drive coils so as to drive the movable member based on the blur of the optical axis and the position of the movable member, thereby controlling blurring of the image formed on the imaging device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an actuator capable of locking a movable member without additional purpose-made components such as a lock ring, and another actuator used to drive them. The actuator (10) of the present invention is used to translate a photographing lens and prevent an image from shaking, and the actuator comprises a fixed member (12), a movable member (14) holding the photographing lens, a supporting means (18) movably supporting the movable member, a driving means (20, 22) translating and rotating the movable member, at least three engaging portions (17) disposed in the movable member, at least three receiving portions (15) that are to catch the engaging portions upon rotating the movable member to a predetermined locking position, magnetic attracting means (22, 23) disposed separately in both the fixed member and the movable member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an actuator capable of retaining an image-shake correcting lens in a position(s) at which a calibration of lens optics can be affected, without additional locking means.

Abstract: A parallel moving device includes a fixed plate provided on a housing side, a moving frame provided on an optical system side, and three pin-shaped members each of which is provided between the fixed plate and the moving frame and has one end coming into contact the fixed plate and the other end coming into contact the moving frame to support these members, the pin-shaped members allowing the moving frame to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical system. Each of these pin-shaped members supports the moving frame in parallel to the fixed plate, has ends that contact the fixed plate and the moving frame and that have curved surfaces, and tilts in the substantially perpendicular direction in response to movement of the moving frame about the one end as a fulcrum.

Abstract: A parallel moving device includes a fixed plate provided on an enclosure side, a moving frame provided on an optical system side, and three columnar members that are provided between the fixed plate and the moving frame and that support the fixed plate and the moving frame so as to enable movement of the moving frame in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical system. These columnar members are formed with an elastic member that connects the fixed plate and the moving frame in the direction along the optical axis and supports the moving frame in parallel with the fixed plate.

Abstract: [OBJECT OF THE INVENTION] The invention is directed to provide an actuator of simple structure and downsized body, and a lens unit and a camera having the same. [SOLUTION] An actuator (1) comprises a fixed member (2), a movable member (4), a movable member supporting means for supporting the movable member relative to the fixed member, actuating coils (6) attached to either one of the fixed member and the movable member, actuating magnets (8) attached to the remaining one of the fixed member and the movable member so as to receive drive force when current flows in the actuating coils, magnetic sensors (12) disposed inside windings of actuating coils for detecting positions of the actuating magnets, and a control means (14) for controlling the drive current to flow in each of the actuating coils, in response to a command signal instructing where to move the movable member and position signals detected by the magnetic sensors.

Abstract: [OBJECT OF THE INVENTION] The invention is directed to provide a parallel movement apparatus featuring a quick response with a simplified architecture, and an actuator, a lens unit and a camera having the same. [SOLUTION] A parallel movement apparatus (11) is made to attain the above-mentioned object, and comprises a fixed member (12), a movable member (14), at least three spherical members (18) disposed between supporting contacts (31, 32) of the movable member and the fixed member so as to support the movable member in parallel with the fixed member, and a spherical member attracting magnet (30) attracting the spherical members onto the flat supporting surface of the fixed member or that of the movable member.

Abstract: [OBJECT OF THE INVENTION] The invention is directed to provide an actuator that has a simple mechanism capable of locking a movable member, and a lens unit and a camera with the same. [SOLUTION] An actuator (10) is characterized in that it comprises a fixed member (12), a movable member (14) having a locking element (14a), a movable member supporting means (18) for supporting the movable member so as to permit the movable member to move to an arbitrary position in a plane in parallel with the fixed member, drive means (20a, 20b, 20c, 22) translating and rotating the movable member relative to the fixed member, and an engagement member (15) engaged with the locking element to lock the movable member when the movable member has been rotated to a predetermined position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to provide an actuator featuring a quick response with a simplified architecture, and a lens unit and a camera having the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a stable condition at two positions comprising a driving magnet 130 having driving magnetic poles and adapted to be movable in two directions; a driven magnet 140 having driven magnetic poles arranged to be always repulsed by the driving magnetic poles and adapted to be movable in two directions; a motion limiting means for limiting the movement of the driven magnet; and a driving means for driving the driving magnet in two directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a stable condition at two positions comprising a driving magnet 130 having driving magnetic poles and adapted to be movable in two directions; a driven magnet 140 having driven magnetic poles arranged to be always repulsed by the driving magnetic poles and adapted to be movable in two directions; a motion limiting means for limiting the movement of the driven magnet; and a driving means for driving the driving magnet in two directions.

Abstract: First and second stationary driving coils are disposed about drive shaft means on which magnetized rotor means are mounted so as to exert on the drive shaft means output torques 90 degrees out of phase with each other. Coupling means connect the drive shaft means to an output shaft so as the combine the output torques. Sinusoidal driving signals for the driving coils are generated by Hall devices or other means synchronized to the drive shaft means.