Abstract: A method for converting heat to electricity by exploiting changes in spontaneous polarization that occur in electrically polarizable materials is described. The method uses an internally generated field to achieve poling during cycling. The internal poling field is produced by retaining residual free charges on the electrodes at the appropriate point of each cycle. The method obviates the need for applying a DC voltage during cycling and permits the use of the electrical energy that occurs during poling rather than an external poling voltage which detracts from the net energy produced per cycle. The method is not limited to a specific thermodynamic cycle and can be used with any thermodynamic cycle for converting heat to electricity by thermally cycling electrically polarizable materials. The electrical energy generated can be used in various applications or stored for later use. An apparatus for converting heat to electricity is also described.

Abstract: A micro rotary machine may include a micro actuator and a micro shaft coupled to the micro actuator. The micro shaft comprises a horizontal shaft and is operable to be rotated by the micro actuator. A micro tool is coupled to the micro shaft and is operable to perform work in response to motion of the micro shaft.

Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus uses SMA actuator wires to move a movable element supported on a support structure, for example to provide optical image stabilisation. Eight SMA actuator wires are arranged inclined with respect to a notional primary axis with a pair of the SMA actuator wires on each of four sides around the primary axis. The SMA actuators are connected so that on contraction two groups of four SMA actuator wires provide a force with a component in opposite directions along the primary axis, so that the groups are capable of providing movement along the primary axis. The SMA actuator wires of each group have 2-fold rotational symmetry about the primary axis, so that there are SMA actuator wires opposing each other that are capable of providing lateral movement or tilting.

Abstract: A power-generating system includes a heat source having a temperature that goes up and down over time; a first device that undergoes electric polarization due to a temperature change of the heat source; and a second device that takes out an electric power from the first device.

Abstract: A method for converting heat to electricity is described. The method can be used to efficiently and economically generate electricity from thermal energy directly through ferroelectric or other polarizable materials without the need for first converting thermal energy to mechanical energy or to any other form of energy or work. The method can involve subjecting a polarizable material to a thermodynamic cycle having two isothermal steps and two steps that occur at constant polarization. In an ideal implementation, this thermodynamic cycle allows the conversion of heat to electricity at the ultimate Carnot limit. The ferroelectric material can be continuously cycled in and out of its ferroelectric phase while heat is continuously converted to electricity at high voltage. The electrical energy so generated can be used in a virtually unlimited range of different applications or be stored for later use. An apparatus for converting heat to electricity is also described.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy driver comprises a displacement detection portion, a drive control portion, and a compensation calculation portion. The displacement detection portion detects displacement of a shape memory alloy based on a resistance value etc. detected from the shape memory alloy. The drive control portion applies a voltage or current to the shape memory alloy by servo control to thereby displace the shape memory alloy to a target displacement value fed from a microcomputer etc. The compensation calculation portion calculates a compensated displacement value from the detected displacement value and a variation—attributable to the environment temperature—of the drive control value which the drive control portion uses for controlling the voltage or current. Having been fed with the compensated displacement value, the drive control portion varies the drive control value such that the compensated displacement value is equal to the target displacement value.

Abstract: A source signal is converted into a time-variant temperature field with transduction into mechanical motion. In one embodiment, the conversion of a source signal into the time-variant temperature field is provided by utilizing a micro-fabricated fast response, bolometer-type radio frequency power meter. A resonant-type micromechanical thermal actuator may be utilized for temperature read-out and demodulation.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and/or a system of non-decaying electric power generation from pyroelectric materials is disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes generating a substantially continuous electric energy from an at least one layer of pyroelectric material when the at least one layer of pyroelectric material is subjected to a temporal temperature gradient, a varying electric field and/or a mechanical oscillation. The method also includes creating the temporal temperature gradient, the varying electric field and/or the mechanical oscillation through coupling the at least one layer of pyroelectric material in between a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material that harnesses a heat energy and/or an electric field energy to produce the temporal temperature gradient and/or the mechanical oscillation to which the at least one layer of pyroelectric material is subjected.

Abstract: A thermionic generator for converting thermal energy to electric energy includes: an emitter electrode for emitting thermal electrons from a thermal electron emitting surface when heat is applied to the emitter electrode; a collector electrode facing the emitter electrode spaced apart from the emitter electrode by a predetermined distance, and receiving the thermal electrons from the emitter electrode via a facing surface of the collector electrode; and a substrate having one surface. The emitter electrode and the collector electrode are disposed on the one surface of the substrate, and are electrically insulated from each other. The thermal electron emitting surface and the facing surface are perpendicular to the one surface.

Abstract: An electric power generation device equipped with an apparatus which vibrates and generates heat includes a thermoelectric power generation module and a piezoelectric power generation module which are formed integrally. The thermoelectric power generation module has a first surface combining thermally and mechanically with the apparatus's outer surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and generates electric power from temperature differences between the first surface and the second surface caused by the apparatus's generating heat. The piezoelectric power generation module has a fixed end combining mechanically with the apparatus's outer surface and a movable end opposite to the fixed end, and generates electric power from displacement of the movable end to the fixed end caused by the apparatus's vibrating.

Abstract: A high-output energy converter of an output-improving thermionic generator, thermally connected to other generators without moving parts that utilize the residual energy from the thermionic generator. The thermionic generator comprises a r?ultilayered vacuum diode, the layers of which are very thin and the gaps between the layers are also thin and kept at a distance from one another by selectively flexible spacer elements. Piezo elements or heating elements can precisely adjust the height of the gaps.

Abstract: A generator device for converting thermal energy to electric energy. A magnetic circuit includes at least a portion made of a magnetic material. A temperature-varying device varies the temperature in the portion made of the magnetic material alternately above and below a phase transition temperature of the magnetic material to thereby vary the reluctance of the magnetic circuit. A coil is arranged around the magnetic circuit, in which electric energy is induced in response to a varying magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. A magnetic flux generator generates magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. A controllable electric circuit device is connected to the coil and a control device controls the controllable electric circuit device.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides nanosized systems for generating electrical energy based on the use of a chemically reactive composition to generate a thermoelectric wave. For example, the system can include at least one nanostructure (e.g., a carbon nanotube) extending along an axial direction between a proximal end and a distal end. A chemically reactive composition is dispersed along at least a portion of the nanostructure, e.g., along its axial direction, so as to provide thermal coupling with the nanostructure. The chemical composition can undergo an exothermic chemical reaction to generate heat. The system can further include an ignition mechanism adapted to activate the chemical composition so as to generate a thermal wave that propagates along the axial direction of the nanostructure, where the thermal wave is accompanied by an electrical energy wave propagating along the axial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a thermoelectric generator and an exhaust gas system operatively connected to the thermoelectric generator to heat a portion of the thermoelectric generator with exhaust gas flow through the thermoelectric generator. A coolant system is operatively connected to the thermoelectric generator to cool another portion of the thermoelectric generator with coolant flow through the thermoelectric generator. At least one valve is controllable to cause the coolant flow through the thermoelectric generator in a direction that opposes a direction of the exhaust gas flow under a first set of operating conditions and to cause the coolant flow through the thermoelectric generator in the direction of exhaust gas flow under a second set of operating conditions.

Abstract: A thermoelectric element has a first substrate at a high temperature side, a second substrate at a low temperature side facing the first substrate, a thermoelectric material placed on the second substrate via a silicon layer, a first electrode formed on the first substrate, and a second electrode formed on the silicon layer. The thermoelectric element has a stress releasing section which is formed between the first electrode and the thermoelectric material, and which includes a plurality of columnar portions. The stress releasing section suppresses defects such as cracks that might be produced in the thermoelectric element due to a stress generated in the thermoelectric element.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator including a sheet of a deformable material containing closed cavities, each of which contains a drop of a vaporizable liquid, and a mechanism for transforming into electricity the power resulting from the deformation of the sheet linked to the evaporation/condensation of the liquid.

Abstract: A thermionic or thermotunneling generator or heat pump is disclosed, comprising electrodes substantially facing one another and separated by spacers disposed between the electrodes, wherein the substrate material for the cathode is preferably a single crystalline silicon wafer while the substrate for the anode is an organic wafer, and preferably a polished polyimide (PI) wafer. On the cathode side, standard silicon wafer processes create the 10-1000 nm thin spacers and edge seals from thermally grown oxide. Either wafer is partially covered with a thin film of material that is characterized by high electrical conductivity and low work function. In one embodiment, the cathode is partially covered with a thin film of Ag—Cs—O. In another embodiment, the anode is additionally covered with a thin film of Ag—Cs—O, in which case the work function of the cathode coating material is reduced further utilizing an Avto Metal structure of nanoscale patterned indents.

Abstract: A special thermo magnetic motor which is an electromagnetic heat engine used for directly converting power between heat and electrical forms using magnetism. It is comprised of a unique combination of a base support, a heating system to heat the magnetic wafers to the Curie temperature; a magnet system with a base and shorting bar; a rotatable disk assembly with the magnetic wafers and a support shaft/transfer means; and an output to an output means to the using device. It provides significant benefits compared to prior art devices and is used for driving various other devices.

Abstract: A bistable electroactive polymer transducer is provided for electrically actuated deformation of rigid electroactive polymer members. The polymers have glass transition temperatures (Tg) above ambient conditions and turn into rubbery elastomers above Tg and have high dielectric breakdown strength in the rubbery state. They can be electrically deformed to various rigid shapes with maximum strain greater than 100% and as high as 400%. The actuation is made bistable by cooling below Tg to preserve the deformation. The dielectric actuation mechanism includes a pair of compliant electrodes in contact with a dielectric elastomer which deforms when a voltage bias is applied between the pair of electrodes. In some of the configurations, the dielectric elastomer is also a shape memory polymer. The deformations of such bistable electroactive polymers can be repeated rapidly for numerous cycles.

Abstract: A bistable MEMS platform. The bistable MEMS platform converts a rotational input into an ortho-planar displacement and can maintain either it's up or down position without an input force due to bi-stability. The bistable MEMS platform generally includes three components. The first component is a pair of quadrantal bistable mechanisms (QBM). The second is a compliant version of a micro helico-kinematic platform (HKP) that serves to coordinate the motion of the QBM. The third component is an aerial platform, which is a variation of a scissor lift mechanism that attaches to the output of the QBM and amplifies the out-of-plane displacement.

Abstract: An active material assembly is provided having a thermally-activated active material apparatus with an elongated, non-planar shape and a thermoelectric device in thermal contact therewith. The thermoelectric device is characterized by a thermal differential when current flows through the device to activate the thermally-activated active material apparatus, thereby altering at least one dimension thereof. Multiple discrete thermoelectric devices may be in thermal contact with the active material apparatus and electrically in parallel with one another. The active material apparatus, which may be multiple active material components, each with one of the thermoelectric devices thereon, may be encased within a flexible electronic-insulating material to form an articulated active material assembly that can achieve different geometric shapes by separately activating one or more of the different thermoelectric devices. A method of fabricating an articulated active material assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An actuator includes a shape memory element formed from a shape memory alloy. The shape memory element is configured such that the actuator is actuated by a change in shape of the shape memory element. The shape memory element may be maintained in a pre-actuated state that is advanced from its rest state, but which is not at its actuated state.

Abstract: A system includes at least one pipe system defining a closed-loop fluid conduit configured to circulate a fluid into a cased well and through at least a portion of a subterranean thermal reservoir to heat the fluid. The system further includes a thermal power system coupled to the at least one pipe system and configured to generate electricity from heat carried by the fluid.

Abstract: A device has a pair of facing electrodes or electrode assemblies wherein an attracting force distribution within the electrodes or electrode assemblies and an equal but opposite repelling force distributions act simultaneously to establish a stable equilibrium separation of the two electrodes across all or part of their facing surfaces. At least one of the electrode faces has a curved shape. The curved shape is selected to achieve a small contact area at a center point and a larger area surrounding the center point for electron tunneling or photon tunneling or phonon blocking or any combination of these.

Abstract: A device for transforming thermal energy to electric energy including a magnetic circuit including at least a portion made of a magnetic material, a temperature-varying device for varying the temperature in the portion made of the magnetic material alternately above and below a phase transition temperature of the magnetic material to thereby vary the reluctance of the magnetic circuit, and a coil arranged around the magnetic circuit, in which electric energy is induced in response to a varying magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. A capacitor is connected in parallel with the coil to thereby form a resonant circuit, wherein the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit and the frequency of the temperature variation above and below the phase transition temperature of the magnetic material are dependent on one another to optimize the electric power output.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are disclosed that relates to a thermoelectric converter for converting thermal energy into electric energy. The apparatus includes at least one magnetic circuit including magnetic flux; at least one electric coil coupled to the at least one magnetic circuit; a magnetic switch coupled to the at least one magnetic circuit which loads the at least one electric coil with magnetic flux of the at least one magnetic circuit depending on a temperature of the magnetic switch, wherein the magnetic switch has a ferromagnetic state below a critical temperature (Tc) and a paramagnetic state above the critical temperature (Tc).

Abstract: A device and method for using a field-responsive material that changes temperature when subjected to a respective field in combination with a thermal to electrical energy converter to accomplish the generation of electrical energy. The field-responsive material, such as an electrocaloric or magnetocaloric material, changes temperature when subjected to a change in a respective electric or magnetic field. The changing field applied to the field-responsive material causes a temperature change in the field-responsive material to heat or cool the field-responsive material. A thermal to electrical energy converter is in thermal contact with the field-responsive material, such that temperature changes in the field-responsive material in turn changes the temperature of the thermal to electrical energy converter, which the converter then converts into electrical energy.

Abstract: A device for converting heat into electrical energy that is an integrated combination of thermionic and thermoelectric energy converters in a single device, or “TITE”. The electron output of thermionic portion of the TITE is the input of the thermoelectric portion of the device. The electron collector is covered by a thin layer of doped or undoped semiconductor material or a combination of doped and undoped semiconductor materials with appropriate doping and thickness to achieve increased operational temperature ranges and efficiency.

Abstract: A micro rotary machine may include a micro actuator and a micro shaft coupled to the micro actuator. The micro shaft comprises a horizontal shaft and is operable to be rotated by the micro actuator. A micro tool is coupled to the micro shaft and is operable to perform work in response to motion of the micro shaft.

Abstract: A micro device may comprise a substrate, a first micro structure coupled to the substrate, a second micro structure coupled to the substrate, and port configured to receive an input. The first micro structure is configured to move into engagement with the second micro structure in response to the input.

Abstract: A pyroelectric thermal energy harvesting apparatus for generating an electric current includes a cantilevered layered pyroelectric capacitor extending between a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface includes a temperature difference from the second surface. The layered pyroelectric capacitor includes a conductive, bimetal top electrode layer, an intermediate pyroelectric dielectric layer and a conductive bottom electrode layer. In addition, a pair of proof masses is affixed at a distal end of the layered pyroelectric capacitor to face the first surface and the second surface, wherein the proof masses oscillate between the first surface and the second surface such that a pyroelectric current is generated in the pyroelectric capacitor due to temperature cycling when the proof masses alternately contact the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A source signal is converted into a time-variant temperature field with transduction into mechanical motion. In one embodiment, the conversion of a source signal into the time-variant temperature field is provided by utilizing a micro-fabricated fast response, bolometer-type radio frequency power meter. A resonant-type micromechanical thermal actuator may be utilized for temperature read-out and demodulation.

Abstract: A generator device for converting thermal energy to electric energy. A magnetic circuit includes at least a portion made of a magnetic material. A temperature-varying device varied the temperature in the portion made of the magnetic material alternately above and below a phase transition temperature of the magnetic material to thereby vary the reluctance of the magnetic circuit. A coil is arranged around the magnetic circuit, in which electric energy is induced in response to a varying magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. A magnetic flux generator creates magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. The temperature-varying device alternately passes hot and cold fluid by, or through holes in, the portion made of the magnetic material of the magnetic circuit in a single direction to thereby vary the temperature in the portion made of the magnetic material alternately above and below the phase transition temperature of the magnetic material.

Abstract: The micro-electromechanical (MEMS) actuator comprises a hot arm member and a cold arm member. The cold arm member comprises at least two longitudinally spaced-apart flexors. The actuators may also be constructed with at least one among the hot arm member and the cold arm member comprising at least one spring section. The stress in this improved MEMS actuator is more uniformly distributed, thereby reducing the mechanical creep and improving its reliability as well as its operation life.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an actuator allowing a control of displacement and configured to offer a high degree of freedom in designing, and a drive device and an imaging device including the actuator. To achieve the object, an actuator is adopted including a movable part deformable in accordance with heat generation and a control section controlling the amount of deformation of the movable part.

Abstract: A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated using thermal energy obtained from: a combustion reaction; solar energy; a nuclear reaction; ocean water; geothermal energy; or thermal energy recovered from an industrial process. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material. The heat source used to heat the material can be: a combustion apparatus; a solar thermal collector; or a component of a furnace exhaust device. Alternatively, the heat exchanger can be a device for extracting thermal energy from the earth, the sun, ocean water, an industrial process, a combustion reaction or a nuclear reaction. A vehicle is also described which comprises an apparatus for converting heat to electrical energy connected to an electric motor.

Abstract: An improved design for maintaining separation between electrodes in tunneling, resonant tunneling, diode, thermionic, thermo-photovoltaic and other devices is disclosed. At least one electrode 1 is made from flexible material. A magnetic field B is present to combine with the current flowing in the flexible electrode 1 and generate a force or a thermal expansion force combined with a temperature distribution that counterbalances the electrostatic force or other attracting forces between the electrodes. The balancing of forces allows the separation and parallelism between the electrodes to be maintained at a very small spacing without requiring the use of multiple control systems, actuators, or other manipulating means, or spacers. The shape of one or both electrodes 1 is designed to maintain a constant separation over the entire overlapping area of the electrodes, or to minimize a central contact area.

Abstract: A power generation device is disclosed, which includes a plurality of thermomagnetic generator and a flow controller. The thermomagnetic generators can acquire first fluids respectively. The flow controller can control flow rates of the second fluids flowing into the thermomagnetic generators respectively, wherein a fluid temperature of the first fluid is different from a fluid temperature of the second fluid.

Abstract: A method for converting heat to electricity is described. The method can be used to efficiently and economically generate electricity from thermal energy directly through ferroelectric or other polarizable materials without the need for first converting thermal energy to mechanical energy or to any other form of energy or work. The method can involve subjecting a polarizable material to a thermodynamic cycle having two isothermal steps and two steps that occur at constant polarization. In an ideal implementation, this thermodynamic cycle allows the conversion of heat to electricity at the ultimate Carnot limit. The ferroelectric material can be continuously cycled in and out of its ferroelectric phase while heat is continuously converted to electricity at high voltage. The electrical energy so generated can be used in a virtually unlimited range of different applications or be stored for later use. An apparatus for converting heat to electricity is also described.

Abstract: The embodiment provided herein are directed to a pyroelectric (PE) energy converter which is capable of combining nanoscale thermal radiation and pyroelectric energy conversion for harvesting low grade waste heat. The converter advantageously makes use of the enhanced radiative heat transfer across a nanosize gap to achieve high operating frequencies or large temperature oscillations in a composite PE plate. The PE energy converter generally comprises a hot source, a cold source, and a PE plate, wherein the PE plate oscillates between the hot and cold source and the PE plate can be subjected to a power cycle in the displacement-electric field diagram. The hot and cold sources of the converter can be coated with SiO2 absorbing layer to further enhance the radiative heat fluxes. The converter comprising a PE plate made of 60/40 P(VDF-TrFE) operated between 273 K and 388 K experiences a maximum efficiency of 0.2% and a power density of 0.84 mW/cm2. The converter comprising a PE plate made of 0.

Abstract: A source signal is converted into a time-variant temperature field with transduction into mechanical motion. In one embodiment, the conversion of a source signal into the time-variant temperature field is provided by utilizing a micro-fabricated fast response, bolometer-type radio frequency power meter. A resonant-type micromechanical thermal actuator may be utilized for temperature read-out and demodulation.

Abstract: A solar energy converting device includes a frame, a container, a thermal expansion member, a connecting rod, an inductor and magnetic members. The frame defines an opening. The container is positioned on an inner surface of the frame and positioned adjacent to the opening. The container defines a thermally sealed void space filled with an inert gas. The thermal expansion member is positioned on the container and partially surrounded by the container. The connecting rod has an end connected to the thermal expansion member. The magnetic members are positioned on the inner surface of the frame and configured for generating a magnetic field. The inductor coils around the connecting rod and is positioned among the magnetic members. The inductor is configured for being driven by the thermal expansion member to move back and forth in the magnetic field so as to generate a voltage.

Abstract: A current source and method of producing the current source are provided. The current source includes a metal source, a buffer layer, a filter and a collector. An electrical connection is provided to the metal layer and semiconductor layer and a magnetic field applier may be also provided. The source metal has localized states at a bottom of the conduction band and probability amplification. The interaction of the various layers produces a spontaneous current. The movement of charge across the current source produces a voltage, which rises until a balancing reverse current appears. If a load is connected to the current source, current flows through the load and power is dissipated. The energy for this comes from the thermal energy in the current source, and the device gets cooler.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus to control the shaping change of Shape-Memory-Alloy (SMA). The piece-wised current drain control device is designed to independently deliver current to stimulate sectional SMA but not the entire one. The invention is also successfully implemented on an automatic light sensitive aperture control device to simulate the light response of a pupil. The control technique can extend the application potential of SMA toward precise actuation, aeronautical applications, surgical tools, or biomedical applications such as artificial organ or muscles.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device (100) including a combination of thermoelectric elements (60, 62) and thermomagnetic elements (65) may be applied to a pyrometallurgical processing structure (20) whose operation generates a magnetic field. The generation and existence of the magnetic field provides an increase in the electrical energy generated over operation when the field does not exist. The device enhances overall cell efficiency by recovery of electrical energy from lost diffuse heat, while simultaneously enhancing the efficiency of the heat recovery through the effects of existing magnetic fields and improving control of freeze layer formation, in an electrolytic cell for aluminium production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method and apparatus for converting heat to electric energy. The invention exploits the rapid changes in spontaneous polarization that occur in ferroelectric materials during phase change. The invention permits robust and economical generation of electric energy from thermal energy, and it can be used in many different applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating electricity by electromagnetic induction, using a magnetic field modulated by the formation, dissipation, and movement of vortices produced by a vortex material such as a type II superconductor. Magnetic field modulation occurs at the microscopic level, facilitating the production of high frequency electric power. Generator inductors are manufactured using microelectronic fabrication, in at least one dimension corresponding to the spacing of vortices. The vortex material fabrication method establishes the alignment of vortices and generator coils, permitting the electromagnetic induction of energy from many vortices into many coils simultaneously as a cumulative output of electricity. A thermoelectric cycle is used to convert heat energy into electricity.

Abstract: An improved design for maintaining separation between electrodes in tunneling, diode, thermionic, thermophotovoltaic and other devices is disclosed. At least one electrode is made from flexible material. A magnetic field is present to combine with the current flowing in the flexible electrode and generate a force that counterbalances the electrostatic force or other attracting forces between the electrodes. The balancing of forces allows separation and parallelism between the electrodes to be maintained at a very small spacing without requiring the use of multiple control systems, actuators, or other manipulating means, or spacers. The shape of one or both electrodes is designed to maintain a constant separation over the entire overlapping area of the electrodes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave generator includes an ultrasound generating assembly, a power supply and a controller. The ultrasound generating assembly includes a thermoacoustic film comprising a carbon nanotube film, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are connected to opposite ends of the thermoacoustic film. The power supply is configured for powering the ultrasound generating assembly. The controller electrically is coupled to the power supply and configured for alternately powering on and off the ultrasound generating assembly at a frequency of at least 20 kHz.

Abstract: Disclosed are a driving module and an electronic apparatus including the same, which are capable of performing satisfactory driving even under high-temperature environment and of being miniaturized. The driving module (1) includes: a lens frame (4) provided with a guide protrusion (4D); and a support including a module lower plate (8) for positioning the lens frame (4) at a reference position, and a module frame (5) for housing the lens frame (4) movably.