Abstract: An actuator includes: a movable unit to hold an object to be driven; a fixed unit to support the movable unit thereon to make the movable unit rotatable; and a structure for supporting the movable unit with respect to the fixed unit. The structure includes: a sphere; and a pair of holding members to clamp the sphere between themselves. A space is left to let the sphere roll while shifting a center position thereof with respect to at least one of the pair of holding members.

Abstract: In an actuator (camera driver) according to the present invention, when a movable unit is in a neutral position in which the movable unit has rotated around neither an axis nor an axis, a first synthetic vector and a second synthetic vector are directed toward an object to be driven with respect to a plane including the both axes. The first synthetic vector is defined by synthesizing together two first vectors, pointing toward a pair of magnetic yokes, of magnetic attraction forces between a pair of first driving magnets and the pair of magnetic yokes. The second synthetic vector is defined by synthesizing together two second vectors, pointing toward a pair of magnetic yokes, of magnetic attraction forces between a pair of second driving magnets and the pair of magnetic yokes.

Abstract: In an actuator (camera driver) according to the present invention, when a movable unit is in a neutral position in which the movable unit has rotated around neither an axis nor an axis, a first synthetic vector and a second synthetic vector are directed toward an object to be driven with respect to a plane including the both axes. The first synthetic vector is defined by synthesizing together two first vectors, pointing toward a pair of magnetic yokes, of magnetic attraction forces between a pair of first driving magnets and the pair of magnetic yokes. The second synthetic vector is defined by synthesizing together two second vectors, pointing toward a pair of magnetic yokes, of magnetic attraction forces between a pair of second driving magnets and the pair of magnetic yokes.

Abstract: An actuator includes: a movable unit to hold a camera device thereon; a fixed unit; and at least two bundles of cables. Each of the at least two bundles of cables has an anisotropic flexural property. Each bundle of cables has an extension point. The bundle of cables is extended from the movable unit at the extension point so as to distance itself from a center of rotation. When measured along an optical axis of the camera device, distance from the center of rotation of the movable unit to the extension point is shorter than distance from the center of rotation to a first connector.

Abstract: An actuator includes drive magnets (first drive magnet and second drive magnet) and back yokes (first magnetic back yoke and second magnetic back yoke). The back yokes are each provided one to one for an associated one of the drive magnets. The associated one of the drive magnets is attached to each of the back yokes. The back yokes include at least one pair of back yokes facing each other with respect to an optical axis. Each of the at least one pair of back yokes includes a base and a yoke protrusion. An associated one of the drive magnets is attached to the base. The yoke protrusion is coupled to the base and arranged to face at least one out of two ends of the associated drive magnet in a rolling direction of a movable holder.

Abstract: There is provided a focusing device capable of rapidly moving a lens to a minute focusing region and of realizing minute movement of focusing the lens in the minute focusing region. A lens moving mechanism comprises a first guide portion for guiding a lens to move in an optical-axis direction by a first predetermined distance to a minute focusing region and a second guide portion for guiding the lens 5 to minutely move in an optical direction by a second predetermined distance in the minute focusing region. The first guide portion is comprised of inclined portions 8a12 and 8a22 of guide grooves 8a1 and 8a2 of the outer cam 8. The second guide portion is comprised a first cam 4a1 and a second cam 4a2 of a lens holder 4.

Abstract: There is provided a focusing device capable of rapidly moving a lens to a minute focusing region and of realizing minute movement of focusing the lens in the minute focusing region. A lens moving mechanism comprises a first guide portion for guiding a lens to move in an optical-axis direction by a first predetermined distance to a minute focusing region and a second guide portion for guiding the lens 5 to minutely move in an optical direction by a second predetermined distance in the minute focusing region. The first guide portion is comprised of inclined portions 8a12 and 8a22 of guide grooves 8a1 and 8a2 of the outer cam 8. The second guide portion is comprised a first cam 4a1 and a second cam 4a2 of a lens holder 4.

Abstract: When an optical disk is loaded, the light source provided with the optical head for the CD and the light source provided with the optical head for the DVD simultaneously irradiate the laser beams of different wavelengths each toward the optical disk D. And, the optical heads for the CD and DVD are simultaneously driven in parallel in the focusing direction. At that moment, the optical head for the CD and the optical head for the DVD simultaneously detect all the signals added and the RF envelopes individually, which are stored in the memory at the same time. All the signals added and the RF envelopes stored in the memory are sent to the control unit, where a specified processing is carried out to identify the specification of the disk.