Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens holding frame that holds a lens unit that is movable in an optical axis direction, a first guide member that guides the lens holding frame in the optical axis direction, a drive shaft that extends in the optical axis direction, a slider that includes a pressure contact portion that slidably contacts the drive shaft in a longitudinal direction and a coupling portion that is coupled to the lens holding frame, a second guide member that guides the slider in the optical axis direction, a vibration element that is provided on one of the drive shaft and the slider, a drive case that holds the drive shaft and the second guide member, and a cover member that is fixed on the drive case to cover the pressure contact portion of the slider and protrude the coupling portion to an outside of the cover member.

Abstract: A motor includes a rotor having a magnet, a stator having two coils, and a controller configured to control excitations of the two coils. The stator includes first and second yokes excited by the coils, and first and second rotor detectors configured to detect a magnetic flux. The first yoke is arranged for each electric angle of 360°, and the second yoke shifts from the first yoke by an electric angle of 90°. The first rotor position detector is arranged at the same position as the first yoke. The controller generates an excitation switching signal for each coil based on detection signals from the first and second rotor position detectors, and excites a corresponding coil, and obtains first and second delay angles.

Abstract: A barrel assembly includes a barrel, at least one lens group disposed in the barrel to move in an optical axis direction, an aperture disposed in the barrel that adjusts an amount of light passing through the at least one lens group; and a light adjustment unit disposed in the barrel to move in the optical axis direction and that blocks light passing through a peripheral area of the at least one lens group when the at least one lens group is in at least one part of a travel section along which the at least one lens group moves in the barrel.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus to which a lens unit that includes an image-pickup optical system including a focus lens is attachable includes an image sensor configured to photoelectrically convert an object image formed via the lens unit that has been attached, and to generate an image signal, and a controller configured to generate information on driving of the focus lens in the lens unit based upon the image signal and to provide focus control, the controller communicating data with the lens unit, wherein the controller transmits information on a driving target position of the focus lens to the lens unit in a first control, and transmits information on a driving direction and driving speed of the focus lens to the lens unit in a second control different from the first control.

Abstract: A barrel unit includes a barrel, a holding member configured to hold an optical element, a cylindrical member configured to support the barrel and the holding member, and a driving unit configured to generate a thrust by electrifying in a magnetic field formed by a magnet and a yoke a coil fixed onto the cylindrical member and to drive the holding member in an optical axis direction of the optical element by using the thrust. The yoke, the magnet, and the coil are located outside of a part of the cylindrical member which supports the barrel.

Abstract: An image pickup system includes two lens apparatuses each including a movable optical member, a driving unit that drives the movable optical member, and a driving signal generating unit that generates a driving signal for causing the driving unit to drive the movable optical member, a command signal generating unit that generates a command signal to command driving of the movable optical member, a posture determining unit that determines the posture of each lens apparatus, and a master-slave setting unit that sets each lens apparatus, based on the determined posture of the lens apparatus, as one of a master lens apparatus in which the driving signal generating unit generates the driving signal based on the command signal and a slave lens apparatus in which the driving signal generating unit generates the driving signal based on the position of the movable optical member in the other lens apparatus.

Abstract: A camera module (40) of the present invention includes: an optical section (1) having an image pickup lens (2) and a lens barrel (3); and a lens driving device (10) including a lens holder (11). The optical section (1) and the lens driving device (10) are provided on an upper side of a sensor cover (23) covering an image pickup element (22) of an image pickup section (20). The lens barrel (3) is positioned at such a location that the lens barrel (3) does not make contact with the sensor cover (23), so that the lens barrel (3) is fixed to the lens holder (11) at the location. Before being fixed to the lens holder (11), the lens barrel (3) is slidable in the optical axis direction with respect to the lens holder (11).

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens drive device including a base member arranged inside a lens barrel, a lens frame holding a lens and provided to be movable with respect to the base member in an optical axis direction of the lens, a voice coil motor for moving the lens frame, and a position detection unit for detecting a position of the lens frame. The position detection unit includes a reflection portion provided to one of the base and the lens frame and including a reflection surface inclined with respect to the optical axis of the lens, and a photoreflector provided to the other of the base member and the lens frame and including a light projecting portion applying light to the reflection surface and a light receiving portion receiving light reflected on a reflection flat surface.

Abstract: A projection device including a case, a zoom lens module, a focus lever, and a linkage mechanism is provided. The case defines a guiding slot. The zoom lens module is disposed in the case and is configured for projecting an image. The focus lever is disposed in the case and is connected to the zoom lens module. The focus lever is perpendicular to a lengthening direction of a center axis of the zoom lens module. The linkage mechanism includes an adjusting rod having a connecting portion and an operating portion. The connecting portion is connected to the focus lever and is configured for rotating relative to the focus lever and moving along the lengthening direction of the focus lever. The operating portion extends out of the case and is configured for being controlled to move relative to the case along a lengthening direction of the guiding slot.

Abstract: A miniature MEMS autofocus camera module includes an image sensor and an optical assembly including a movable lens group that comprises one or more lenses and that is coupled to a MEMS actuator such that the movable lens group is movable relative to the image sensor, the optical assembly further including at least a first fixed lens group that comprises one or more lenses and that is fixed relative to the image sensor. In operation of the miniature MEMS autofocus camera module, a registration of de-center between the one or more fixed lenses and the one or more moving lenses comprises approximately seven microns or less.

Abstract: A lens module includes a holder defining a cavity and a barrel retained within the cavity, and includes a first optical axis X aligned with an imaginary axis of the cavity, a frame defining a through hole and comprising several blocking portions, and a square lens possessing a second optical axis Y. The frame is coupled to the holder, and an imaginary axis of the through hole is aligned with the axis of the cavity. The square lens is connected to the frame and includes four side surfaces abutting the several blocking portions, which precisely aligns the second optical axis Y with the imaginary axis of the through hole.

Abstract: The motor driving apparatus includes a motor driving a driven member, and a controller performing, from a start of driving of the motor, acceleration drive of the motor on the basis of a predetermined acceleration pattern with open-loop control, and then perform, in response to increase of a driving speed of the motor or the driven member to a predetermined speed, drive of the motor with feedback control. The controller changes the predetermined acceleration pattern and the predetermined speed depending on a magnitude of a load acting on the motor or the driven member.

Abstract: An encoder (100) includes a cylindrical body (10), a sensor unit (7) configured to detect a displacement of the cylindrical body (10) in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (10), and a scale (2) that is attached to the cylindrical body (10) using a holder (12) and a holder (13) and that has a signal detection effective region (14) used to detect the displacement by the sensor unit (7), and a region (17) that has a stiffness smaller than a stiffness of the signal detection effective region (14) in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body (10) is provided on an outside of the signal detection effective region (14) and on at least one side of the first holder (12) and the second holder (13).

Abstract: Described herein are methods, apparatus, and computer readable medium to autofocus a lens of an imaging device. Parameters are received indicating a lens position. Lens actuator characteristics are determined. Lens damping parameters may be determined based, at least in part, on the input parameters and the lens actuator characteristics. In some aspects, lens damping parameters include a lens movement step size and a time delay between each step. In some aspects, the lens damping parameters include damping parameters for a plurality of regions of lens movement. Lens movement parameters are determined based, at least in part, on the input parameters and the lens damping parameters. The lens is then autofocused by moving it according to the lens movement parameters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator includes a generally planar fixed frame, a generally planar moving frame coupled to the fixed frame by a flexure for substantially coplanar, perpendicular movement relative to the fixed frame, a plurality of interdigitated teeth, a fixed portion of which is attached to the fixed frame and a moving portion of which is attached to the moving frame, and an elongated output shaft having opposite input and output ends, the input end being coupled to the moving frame.

Abstract: A lens barrel having: an imaging optical system including, a moving lens group movable in a direction of an optical axis, a first aperture disposed on an object side of the moving lens group, and a second aperture disposed on an image plane side of the moving lens group; a first optical path regulating section formed on the image plane side of the first aperture; and a second optical path regulating section integrally formed with a holding frame for holding the moving lens group, wherein the first optical path regulating section and the second optical path regulating section are configured to block, of light fluxes that pass through the first aperture to enter the second aperture, those that do not pass through the second lens group as a moving lens.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an imaging device having a small form factor.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprising: a first retention member that includes a first engaging portion, which engages with a guide shaft, and that retains a first optical system and a second optical system, which is different from the first optical system, to be integrally movable along the guide shaft; and a second retention member that includes a second engaging portion, which engages with the guide shaft, and that retains a third optical system, which is disposed between the first optical system and the second optical system, to be movable independently of the first and second optical systems.

Abstract: A lens barrel including a subject-side lens guided by guide bars. The lens barrel has a first guide shaft disposed within a cylindrical fixed cylinder and oriented axially along the fixed cylinder; a second guide shaft disposed outside the fixed cylinder and oriented axially; a first holding member that holds a first lens and moves along the first guide shaft; and a second holding member that holds a second lens positioned on a subject side of the first lens and moves along the second guide shaft.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a moving frame, a stepper motor that drives the moving frame, a screw member that rotates in accordance with rotation of the stepper motor, a screw gear that rotates in accordance with rotation of the screw member, a nut member that screws with the screw member, moves, by pressing, the moving frame, an external rotation operation ring, including a drive gear that rotates in response to external operation, that switches between a first state where the drive gear meshes with the screw gear, rotates the screw member, and drives the moving frame and a second state where the drive gear and the screw gear are not meshed, and control means that drive-controls the stepper motor in conjunction with rotation of the external rotation operation ring when the external rotation operation ring is in the second state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera module having a MEMS actuator and a driving method thereof, the camera module with a MEMS actuator, including, a MEMS actuator moving a lens with electrostatic force, for focus adjustment, an electrostatic capacity measurement unit measuring electrostatic capacity produced in the MEMS actuator, a foreign substance determination unit determining if foreign substances exist in the MEMS actuator, and outputting a trigger signal when a foreign substance exists, and a MEMS actuator drive unit driving the MEMS actuator to a reiterated vibration using the trigger signal outputted from the foreign substance determination unit.

Abstract: A camera module includes a lens system, an image sensor, and an actuator. The actuator is fixed relative to the image sensor, and the actuator moves the lens system relative to the image sensor to achieve focus. Components that move relative to each other result in gaps or spaces between the components, an in particular there is a gap between the lens system and the actuator. Such a gap provides a traveling path for foreign material, or particulates, to enter the camera module and reach the image sensor, or other intermediate optical components between the lens system and the image sensor. A camera contamination reduction apparatus is implemented as a protective membrane that prevents foreign material from reaching the internal optical components through the traveling path.

Abstract: A two-axis, optical mount provides two sets of flexural elements monolithically and homogeneously formed of a single material with, and interconnecting, three rigid segments. Between each pair of rigid segments, beginning with the first and second, a set of extensions is formed to have a cross section that permits simple, easy, independent adjustment therebetween. Likewise, a flexural set exists between the second and third rigid elements. Meanwhile, the rigid elements have section moduli sufficiently great as to be orders of magnitude larger than the flexural stiffness or section modulus of the flexures, thus providing flexures that operate in the elastic mode and introduce no joint type accuracy errors in adjustment.

Abstract: A lens device includes a main body unit, a guiding shaft unit, a lens unit, a focus adjusting unit and a resilient component. The guiding shaft unit includes three parallel guiding shafts disposed in the main body unit. The lens unit includes a lens frame disposed in the main body unit and having three guiding portions that receive slidably and respectively the guiding shafts, and a lens mounted co-movably in the lens frame. The focus adjusting unit is disposed in the main body unit and includes a driven member abutting against the lens frame and driven by a driving member for driving the lens unit to slide along the guiding shafts. The resilient component is disposed for biasing resiliently the lens frame toward the driven member.

Abstract: A drive unit capable of reducing size while maintaining drive characteristics, a method of manufacturing the same, a lens module, and an image pickup unit are provided. A drive unit includes: a fixing member; an actuator device having a first end portion directly or indirectly fixed by the fixing member; and a reinforcing member (reinforcing layer) provided on part or all of the actuator device. Mechanical strength of the actuator device is secured even when the width of the actuator device (for example, the width W12) is narrowed, by providing the above-described reinforcing member.

Abstract: An oscillating actuator drive unit includes an oscillator unit that generates an oscillating signal having a first frequency; an amplifier unit that amplifies the oscillating signal based on a first amplification factor and generates a first amplified oscillating signal as a driving signal for driving an oscillating actuator; a voltage detecting unit that detects a first voltage associated with the first amplified oscillating signal; and a signal control unit that receives the first voltage from the voltage detecting unit and computes a second amplification factor with reference to at least the first voltage, the signal control unit supplying the second amplification factor to the amplifier unit to allow the amplifier unit to amplify the oscillating signal based on the second amplification factor, the amplified oscillating signal having a second voltage, the second voltage being closer to a target voltage than the first voltage.

Abstract: Provided is a focusing apparatus for an optical device, the focusing apparatus including a lead screw rotatably installed in the optical device, a carriage screw-coupled to the lead screw to move in a longitudinal direction of the lead screw in response to rotation of the lead screw, a lens barrel receiving at least one lenses and moving along the longitudinal direction of the lead screw, and a bridge extending from an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel to enclose the carriage, in which the bridge moves the lens barrel in response to movement of the carriage.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide concomitant mechanical motion inhibition and electrical distribution for actuator modules, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based optical actuators adapted to move and/or orient one or more lenses and/or optical devices of a camera module. A mechanical motion inhibition and electrical distribution system may include one or more flexible snubber structures disposed substantially adjacent a MEMS structure and between the MEMS structure and another component of a camera module. Each flexible snubber structure may be implemented with one or more electrical traces, flexible films, snubber films, and/or mechanical stabilizers adapted to route electrical signals to or from the MEMS structure and/or to inhibit mechanical motion of at least a portion of the MEMS structure.

Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a stationary magnetic field generator having a supporting frame, a moveable magnetic field generator, a case and a double sided adhesive layer. The supporting frame defines a first receiving space receiving the moveable magnetic field generator. The moveable magnetic field generator defines a second receiving space. The case encloses the stationary magnetic field generator, the moveable magnetic field generator and the double sided adhesive layer and includes a bottom plate and side plates. The bottom plate includes a first surface and a second surface facing away the first surface. The side plates extend from the second surface. The bottom plate defines a through hole. A diameter of the through hole is smaller than that of the second receiving space. The double sided adhesive layer is entirely covering the second face.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling optical-system inclination/rotation center, comprising a housing (200); a bracket (201) installed in the housing (200) for loading lenses; and a first spring system (202) and a second spring system (203) connected onto the housing (200) and the bracket (201), wherein either one of the spring systems is a planar spring system and comprised of at least one leaf spring, the surface of each leaf spring being generally parallel to the plane of the spring system; the planes of the first spring system (202) and the second spring system (203) being generally parallel with each other, and the normal direction of each spring system being generally parallel to the center axis of the bracket (201) or the lens optical axis; the effective elastic coefficient of said first spring system (202) in the lens axis direction is far less than that in the direction perpendicular to the lens axis; the effective elastic coefficient of the second spring system (203) in each direction is far less than that

Abstract: An imaging device comprises a lens barrel having an optical system with an adjustable focal point, and has a first state can focus relative to an imaging face, and a second state can not focus relative to the imaging face, a changing unit for changing the lens barrel from the second state to the first state when the imaging unit is activated, a discriminating unit which discriminates whether the state of the barrel is the first state or the second state, and a control unit which, at a time of activating the imaging unit, changes the lens barrel to the first state by the changing unit if it is discriminated that the state of the barrel is the second state, and which maintains the first state if it is discriminated that the state of the barrel is the first state.

Abstract: The described lens assembly for use with a camera having a camera body includes a tilt assembly portion configured to allow pivotal movement of the lens body relative to the camera body. The lens assembly further includes a focus assembly configured to axially adjust a position of a removable optic assembly mounted to the focus assembly relative to the lens body to control focus of the lens assembly when the optic assembly is installed in the lens body. The lens body and focus assembly may be structured to remain coupled to the camera body after the optic assembly is removed from the focus assembly.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a magnifier device for mounting to a container. The device comprises a container mount comprising a base portion and an adjustable portion. Each of the base portion and the adjustable portion comprises a container engaging surface. The container engaging surfaces are arranged for engaging a container received therebetween. The adjustable portion is mounted for movement relative to the base portion in (i) a contracting direction wherein the container engaging surfaces move relatively towards one another and (ii) an expanding direction wherein the container engaging surfaces move relatively away from one another, thus enabling receipt of containers of various sizes between the container engaging surfaces. The container mount comprises a resilient member for biasing the adjustable portion in the contracting direction, thus urging engagement of the container engaging surfaces against a container received therebetween.

Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel comprising a lens holding member that holds a lens; a guide bar that has a magnetic pattern in which a pair of magnetic poles repeat in a longitudinal direction and that has the longitudinal direction thereof oriented in a direction of an optical axis of the lens to guide the lens holding section to move in the direction of the optical axis; a control portion that is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the lens holding member and that includes a magnetic body generating magnetic force between itself and the magnetic pattern of the guide bar; and a drive coil that is arranged in a manner to not contact the guide bar and that generates magnetic drive force between itself and the guide bar.

Abstract: A lens drive control device for a lens barrel, which controls at least a part of a plurality of lens groups respectively including at least one lens, wherein a state of the lens barrel transits from a retracted state to a photographing extended state, the lens drive control device comprising: a detection device which detects that the at least one lens group reaches a reference position, and a determination device which determines an abnormal actuation based upon a detection by the detection device, upon actuation when the at least one lens group is moved from the retracted position to the position on the optical axis, wherein the determination device determines that the actuation is abnormal when the detection device detects that the at least one lens group reaches the reference position for a plurality of times.

Abstract: A lens driving apparatus which lessens shake of the lenses is provided. The lens driving apparatus includes a lens support unit comprising a first support and a second support that face each other, and a slope on an inner surface of the first support, wherein one or more lenses are mounted on the lens support unit; a contact unit disposed between the first and second supports, wherein a protrusion is formed on one surface of the contact unit facing the slope; a force application unit configured to apply a force to the contact unit so that the protrusion contacts the slope; and a driving unit configured to contact another surface of the contact unit and configured to move the lens support unit in an optical axis direction.

Abstract: In a lens driving device, a rack gear portion is used as a gear portion so that the gear portion can be disengaged from the terminal end of the lead screw in the radial direction. To efficiently utilize a guide shaft formed with high precision, the guide shaft extends through a spring supporting frame of a lens holder that holds a lens, a movable member having the rack gear portion that meshes with the lead screw, whereby the movable member and the lens holder are linearly guided along the guide shaft, and the guide shaft also serves as the rotation axis of the movable member. A compression coil spring is wound around the guide shaft, and the rack gear portion is pressed against the lead screw by using the compression coil spring.

Abstract: Provided is a lens transferring device including a lens mounting member to which at least one lens is installed; a guiding member that guides movement of the lens mounting member; a driver that moves the lens mounting member and includes a lead screw; an operation member installation unit that is formed at an end of the lens mounting member; an operation member that includes a screw unit contacting the lead screw, an installation unit installed to the operation member installation unit, and a connection unit connecting the screw unit and the installation unit; and an elastic member including a first end that contacts the installation unit and a second end that contacts the operation member installation unit, wherein a first propping member that contacts a portion of the installation unit and prevents tilting of the operation member is formed on the operation member installation unit.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes a zoom optical system, a zooming unit, and a light adjusting mechanism. The zoom optical system is configured to form an optical image of a subject and includes a first, a second, and a third lens group. The third lens group is movable and configured to move the optical image. The zooming unit causes the zoom optical system to perform a zooming operation. The light adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust the light passing through the zoom optical system. The lens barrel is configured to change between an imaging state and a retracted state. In the imaging state, the zooming operation is performed, and the first, the second, and the third lens groups are in alignment. During the zooming operation, the second lens group moves integrally with the third lens group along the optical axis, and the light adjusting mechanism and the second lens group move independently of one another along the same axial direction.

Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a movable barrel and a spring plate. The movable barrel includes a top end and a number of locating members. Each locating member includes a locating post on the top end, and a blocking portion on the locating post. The spring plate includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and an inner frame. The spring plate defines a through hole passing through the top surface and the bottom surface. The inner frame surrounds the through hole. The inner frame defines a number of locating holes. Each locating hole receives a corresponding locating post. The spring plate is positioned between the blocking portions and the top end. The blocking portions lock the inner frame to the movable barrel. The inner surface of each locating hole defines spaced gaps. Each gap passes through the top and the bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A lens drive device comprises a lens holder, a piezoelectric actuator, a ball member held rotatably, and an biasing member configured to apply an biasing force to the lens holder toward the piezoelectric actuator through the ball member. The lens holder has a projection projecting outward from an outer peripheral surface and extending in a direction intersecting the projecting direction and optical axis. A side wall face of the projection is formed with a groove extending along the optical axis and engaging the ball member. A position receiving the biasing force from the biasing member and a position receiving the drive force from the actuator in the lens holder oppose each other through the projection interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A voice coil motor includes an outer shell, a fastening member, magnetic members, a base, first and second elastic members, and a movable assembly. The outer shell has a through hole defined therein and includes sidewalls surrounding the through hole. The first elastic member includes a ring-shaped first elastic portion. The fastening member fastens the first elastic member on the outer shell. The magnetic members are mounted on the inside of the sidewalls, respectively. The second elastic member is fixed on the base and includes a ring-shaped second elastic portion. The movable assembly includes a retainer wrapped in a coil of wire, the retainer is connected to the first and second elastic portions, and is movable in the outer shell under an interaction between the magnetic members and the coil of wire. A camera module using the voice coil motor is also provided.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes an image optical system with an optical axis. The lens barrel has a first lens, a second lens, a guide shaft, and a driving unit, an adjusting mechanism, and a base frame. The adjusting mechanism is coupled to the guide shaft and has a first and a second portion. The first portion is deflectable and supports one end of the guide shaft. The second portion is configured to press against the first portion to deflect the first portion at an angle relative to the optical axis. The adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust the position of the guide shaft. The guide shaft is arranged to at least partially overlap the driving unit in the circumferential direction around the optical axis, and the first lens is arranged to at least partially overlap the adjusting mechanism in the radial direction relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: An exemplary piezoelectric actuator includes a fixed barrel defining a first receiving cavity, a movable barrel in the first receiving cavity for receiving a lens module, a piezoelectric driving module driving the movable barrel to move relative to the fixed barrel along an optical axis of the lens module, and a preloading module. The movable barrel defines a second receiving cavity for receiving the lens module. The piezoelectric driving module includes a piezoelectric member attached on the sidewall of the fixed barrel, and a friction member attached on the sidewall of the movable barrel. The piezoelectric member is opposite to the friction member. The preloading module is arranged between the fixed barrel and the movable barrel. The preloading module is opposite to the piezoelectric driving module for exerting a pressure to the movable barrel, thereby making the friction member resist against the piezoelectric member.

Abstract: A lens moving mechanism includes a guide shaft extending in an optical axis direction and a lens frame. The lens frame includes a transfer portion which follows movement of the nut member, which is screw-engaged with a lead screw of a motor. An effective length of the guide shaft is greater than that of the lead screw so that an end of the guide shaft and the motor overlap each other. Part of the fit-on portion of the lens frame is positioned where the end of the guide shaft and the motor overlap each other when the lens frame is at a lens-frame moving end, and is positioned to face the lead screw in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis when the lens frame is at the opposite lens-frame moving end.

Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel including a subject-side lens guided by guide bars, comprising a first guide shaft that is disposed within a cylindrical fixed cylinder and oriented along an axial direction of the fixed cylinder; a second guide shaft that is disposed outside the fixed cylinder and oriented along the axial direction, and arranged such that at least a portion thereof overlaps with the first guide shaft in a longitudinal direction of the first guide shaft; a first holding member that holds a first lens, includes a first engaging member that engages with the first guide shaft, and moves along the first guide shaft; and a second holding member that holds a second lens positioned on a subject side of the first lens, includes a second engaging member that engages with the second guide shaft, and moves along the second guide shaft, wherein at least a portion of movement range of the first engaging member on the first guide shaft overlaps in the axial direction with at least a portion of movement range of th

Abstract: A camera lens and an image capturing device using the same. The camera lens comprises a lens-barrel fixing-base, a driving barrel, a focusing lens-barrel and an elastic member. The lens-barrel fixing-base has a hollow part, which has a first supporting part. The first supporting part has a connecting part. The driving barrel has a groove formed at an inner wall of the driving barrel. The focusing lens-barrel has a guiding part, which is inserted into the groove for allowing the focusing lens-barrel to be axially moved in the driving barrel. The focusing lens-barrel has a second supporting part. The elastic member is a hollow-ring structure setting between the lens-barrel fixing-base and the focusing lens-barrel. One end of the elastic member is positioned against the first supporting part and the another end of the elastic member is positioned against the second supporting part.

Abstract: A lens barrel of the present invention includes: a first barrel; a second barrel capable of relative rotation around an optical axis with respect to the first barrel; a focusing lens; a drive portion that drives the focusing lens; a rotational operation member that can move in the optical axis direction to a first position, and a second position; and an engagement portion that, when the rotational operation member is at the second position, causes the second barrel and the rotational operation member to engage with each other and rotates the second barrel accompanying rotation of the rotational operation member, and when the rotational operation member is at the first position, disengages the second barrel and the rotational operation member from each other.

Abstract: An auto-focusing lens module includes a substrate, guiding members positioned on the substrate, an actuator unit, a driving plate, and a lens holder holding a lens therein. The driving plate includes an upper surface and first protrusions on the upper surface in a first circle. A height of each first protrusion gradually decreases along a circumferential direction. The lens holder includes a bottom surface and second protrusions on the bottom surface in a second circle. A height of each second protrusion gradually increases along the circumferential direction. Each second protrusion rests on a respective first protrusion. The guiding members guide the lens holder to move along an optical axis of the lens module. The actuator unit drives the driving plate to rotate, such that the driving plate drives the lens holder to move long the optical axis by the engagement of each second protrusion with the respective first protrusion.

Abstract: A lens barrel is a lens barrel that can be mounted to a camera body, including a lens element, a lens support frame, an actuator, and an electrical contact. The lens support frame supports the lens element. The actuator is arranged to drive the lens support frame in an optical direction of the lens element, and includes a drive shaft and a detector configured to detect rotation of the drive shaft. The electrical contact is disposed on the opposite side from the actuator with respect to the lens element when viewed in the optical axis direction parallel to the optical axis of the lens element, and is configured to be electrically connected with the camera body.