Abstract: Using drive force from a voice coil motor constituted of an autofocus coil unit and an autofocus magnet unit, a lens drive device automatically carries out focusing by moving an autofocus movable unit, which includes the autofocus coil unit, with respect to an autofocus fixed unit, which includes the autofocus magnet unit, in the direction of an optical axis. The autofocus movable unit has a lens holder that holds the autofocus coil unit. The lens holder has a cut-out part recessed on the inside in the radial direction from the outer periphery of the holder, and a binding part that protrudes to the outside in the radial direction from the cut-out part and binds an end part of the autofocus coil unit. The tip of the binding part is positioned to the inside of the outer periphery of the holder in the radial direction.

Abstract: Provided is a lens drive device that, using drive force from a voice coil motor, automatically carries out focusing by moving an autofocus movable unit with respect to an autofocus fixed unit in the direction of an optical axis. The lens drive unit is provided with a position detection unit that is disposed with an intervening space on the image formation side of the autofocus movable unit in the direction of the optical axis and that is for emitting light toward the autofocus movable unit, receiving reflected light that has been reflected by the autofocus movable unit, and detecting the position of the autofocus movable unit in the direction of the optical axis on the basis of the received light intensity. Part of the member displaced along with the autofocus movable unit functions as a reflective plate for reflecting light emitted from the position detection unit.

Abstract: Using drive force from a voice coil motor constituted of an autofocus coil unit and an autofocus magnet unit, a lens drive device automatically carries out focusing by moving an autofocus movable unit, which includes the autofocus coil unit, with respect to an autofocus fixed unit, which includes the autofocus magnet unit, in the direction of an optical axis. The autofocus movable unit has a lens holder that holds the autofocus coil unit. The lens holder has a cut-out part recessed on the inside in the radial direction from the outer periphery of the holder, and a binding part that protrudes to the outside in the radial direction from the cut-out part and binds an end part of the autofocus coil unit. The tip of the binding part is positioned to the inside of the outer periphery of the holder in the radial direction.

Abstract: Provided is a lens drive device that, using drive force from a voice coil motor, automatically carries out focusing by moving an autofocus movable unit with respect to an autofocus fixed unit in the direction of an optical axis. The lens drive unit is provided with a position detection unit that is disposed with an intervening space on the image formation side of the autofocus movable unit in the direction of the optical axis and that is for emitting light toward the autofocus movable unit, receiving reflected light that has been reflected by the autofocus movable unit, and detecting the position of the autofocus movable unit in the direction of the optical axis on the basis of the received light intensity. Part of the member displaced along with the autofocus movable unit functions as a reflective plate for reflecting light emitted from the position detection unit.

Abstract: An optical fiber cutting device is configured so that a disk-like blade member is moved in a state, in which the blade member is pushed against a glass fiber part of an optical fiber, to form a flaw on a surface of the glass fiber part. The blade member is turned by a feed roller in synchronization with a movement operation of the blade member that rotates by a contact friction force generated when the blade member is put into contact with a contact member fixedly provided halfway a movement path of the blade member.

Abstract: An optical connector, which is capable of enhancing fittability into a cabinet, or the like on account of compactification and also avoiding problems of an increase of bead loss, a breakage, etc. of an optical fiber, can be provided. In an optical connector 1 that houses a fusion-spliced portion 13, in which a short optical fiber 5 that is fitted previously to an optical connector ferrule 85 and a coated optical fiber 3 are fusion spliced together and holds the fusion-spliced portion 13 therein, one end of a protection sleeve 87 made of the thermal shrinkage material that externally fixes the fusion-spliced portion 13 is coupled to the optical connector ferrule 85. An air escape hole 7ffor escaping an air, which is confined in the protection sleeve 87 when the protection sleeve 87 is thermally shrunk and adhered closely to the optical connector ferrule 85, to the outside is formed in the optical connector ferrule 85.

Abstract: An optical fiber cutting device is configured so that a disk-like blade member is moved in a state, in which the blade member is pushed against a glass fiber part of an optical fiber, to form a flaw on a surface of the glass fiber part. The blade member is turned by a feed roller in synchronization with a movement operation of the blade member that rotates by a contact friction force generated when the blade member is put into contact with a contact member fixedly provided halfway a movement path of the blade member.

Abstract: An optical connector in which the housing property into a cabinet or the like can be enhanced because of the compactification, and which can solve problems of the increase of the bending loss of an optical fiber, the breakage, and the like is obtained. In an optical connector which houses and holds a fusion spliced portion where a short optical fiber previously fitted to an optical connector ferrule is fusion-spliced with a coated optical fiber, one end of a protection sleeve which armors the fusion spliced portion is coupled to the optical connector ferrule. As a result, the length of the protection sleeve which covers the fusion spliced portion so that the fusion spliced portion is positioned at the middle can be set with reference to an end portion of the optical connector ferrule. Therefore, the protection sleeve can be shortened, and compactification of the optical connector can be realized.

Abstract: A driving method is for a driving apparatus including an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end surfaces opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a vibration friction portion mounted to the second end surface of the electro-mechanical transducer, a moving member frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, and a vibration transfer member disposed between the second end surface of said electro-mechanical transducer and an end surface of said vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving member in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The driving method includes subjecting the electro-mechanical transducer to reciprocating displacement in a sawtooth waveform and transferring the reciprocating displacement of the electro-mechanical transducer to the vibration friction portion through the vibration transfer member, thereby linearly driving the moving member in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An optical fiber cutting device is configured so that a disk-like blade member is moved in a state, in which the blade member is pushed against a glass fiber part of an optical fiber, to form a flaw on a surface of the glass fiber part. The blade member is turned by a feed roller in synchronization with a movement operation of the blade member that rotates by a contact friction force generated when the blade member is put into contact with a contact member fixedly provided halfway a movement path of the blade member.

Abstract: An optical fiber cutting device is configured so that a disk-like blade member is moved in a state, in which the blade member is pushed against a glass fiber part of an optical fiber, to form a flaw on a surface of the glass fiber part. The blade member is turned by a feed roller in synchronization with a movement operation of the blade member that rotates by a contact friction force generated when the blade member is put into contact with a contact member fixedly provided halfway a movement path of the blade member.

Abstract: A holder capable of protecting an optical connector ferrule from an external shock, or the like and executing a fusion-splice of a short optical fiber not to take out the optical connector ferrule from the holder is obtained. A holder for holding a connector plug equipped with an optical connector ferrule to which a short optical fiber is fitted and a plug frame for covering an outer periphery of the optical connector ferrule therein, wherein, when the short optical fiber together with the holder is fitted to a fusion splicing apparatus that fusion-splices the short optical fiber and other coated optical fiber, the short optical fiber extended from the plug frame is positioned in a fusion position.

Abstract: An optical connector, which is capable of enhancing fittability into a cabinet, or the like on account of compactification and also avoiding problems of an increase of bend loss, a breakage, etc. of an optical fiber, can be provided. In an optical connector 1 that houses a fusion-spliced portion 13, in which a short optical fiber 5 that is fitted previously to an optical connector ferrule 85 and a coated optical fiber 3 are fusion spliced together and holds the fusion-spliced portion 13 therein, one end of a protection sleeve 87 made of the thermal shrinkage material that externally fixes the fusion-spliced portion 13 is coupled to the optical connector ferrule 85. An air escape hole 7f for escaping an air, which is confined in the protection sleeve 87 when the protection sleeve 87 is thermally shrunk and adhered closely to the optical connector ferrule 85, to the outside is formed in the optical connector ferrule 85.

Abstract: A protection sleeve includes a heat shrinkable tube and an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube. The heat shrinkable tube, the adhesive tube, and the reinforcing rod are adhered together in a section spanning across a lengthwise section of the heat shrinkable tube. A protection sleeve manufacturing apparatus includes a jig for securing protection sleeves and a heating device. The jig is contrived to hold a plurality of protection sleeves (each including a heat shrinkable tube, an adhesive tube and a reinforcing rod housed inside the heat shrinkable tube) in a parallel arrangement with spaces in-between. The heating device includes a plurality of hot air vents, means for setting a first distance between the jig and the hot air vents, and a means of setting the jig and the hot air vents to a second distance that is closer than the first distance.

Abstract: An optical connector in which the housing property into a cabinet or the like can be enhanced because of the compacification, and which can solve problems of the increase of the bending loss of an optical fiber, the breakage, and the like is obtained. In an optical connector which houses and holds a fusion spliced portion where a short optical fiber previously fitted to an optical connector ferrule is fusion-spliced with a coated optical fiber, one end of a protection sleeve which armors the fusion spliced portion is coupled to the optical connector ferrule. As a result, the length of the protection sleeve which covers the fusion spliced portion so that the fusion spliced portion is positioned at the middle can be set with reference to an end portion of the optical connector ferrule. Therefore, the protection sleeve can be shortened, and compactification of the optical connector can be realized.

Abstract: A driving method is for a driving apparatus including an electro-mechanical transducer having first and second end surfaces opposite to each other in an expansion/contraction direction, a vibration friction portion mounted to the second end surface of the electro-mechanical transducer, a moving member frictionally coupled to the vibration friction portion, and a vibration transfer member disposed between the second end surface of said electro-mechanical transducer and an end surface of said vibration friction portion, whereby moving the moving member in the expansion/contraction direction of the electro-mechanical transducer. The driving method includes subjecting the electro-mechanical transducer to reciprocating displacement in a sawtooth waveform and transferring the reciprocating displacement of the electro-mechanical transducer to the vibration friction portion through the vibration transfer member, thereby linearly driving the moving member in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A camera module for small-sized electronic apparatuses such as digital cameras and cellular phones includes a lens unit; and a holder which houses the lens unit and is displaceable along an optical axis direction of the lens unit. A coil is provided on the holder of octagon shape in cross section having eight outside surface portions with a yoke having an outer cylindrical wall portion formed to have an octagon shape similar to the octagon shape of the coil and having eight magnet mounting inner surfaces. Eight flat plate-shaped magnets on the mounting surfaces for providing a magnetic field are arranged to face the outside surface portions of the coil through a predetermined constant spacing. Upper and lower leaf springs respectively support the holder so as to be displaceable along the optical axis direction of the lens unit; a base for supporting the yoke and the lower spring.

Abstract: A camera module which can switch a photographing mode of the camera module includes a housing, a holder having a lens unit and displaceable between a first position and a second position, a magnetic member and a coil, a first magnet having an N pole, and a second magnet having an S pole. Positive DC supplied to the coil magnetizes the magnetic member to an N polarity repelled by the N pole and attracted to the S pole and held at that position by stopping the current for macro photographing mode. Negative DC supplied to the coil magnetizes the magnetic member to an S polarity repelled by the S pole and attracted to the N pole and held by stopping the DC current for the normal photographing mode.

Abstract: A camera module for small-sized electronic apparatuses such as digital cameras and cellular phones includes a lens unit; and a holder which houses the lens unit and is displaceable along an optical axis direction of the lens unit. A coil is provided on the holder of octagon shape in cross section having eight outside surface portions with a yoke having an outer cylindrical wall portion formed to have an octagon shape similar to the octagon shape of the coil and having eight magnet mounting inner surfaces. Eight flat plate-shaped magnets on the mounting surfaces for providing a magnetic field are arranged to face the outside surface portions of the coil through a predetermined constant spacing. Upper and lower leaf springs respectively support the holder so as to be displaceable along the optical axis direction of the lens unit; a base for supporting the yoke and the lower spring.