Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a lens retainer, a wire, and an elastic electrode member. The lens retainer includes an end portion. The wire wraps around the lens retainer and includes a first end and a second end. The elastic electrode member is metal and is mounted to the end portion. The elastic member includes a first elastic metal sheet and a second elastic metal sheet. The first elastic metal sheet includes a first electrode. The second elastic plate is physically separated from the first elastic sheet and includes a second electrode. The first end and the second end are respectively soldered to the first electrode and the second electrode.

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 includes a first cylinder, a second cylinder configured to rotate around an optical axis relative to the first cylinder and to move a lens holding frame holding a lens in an optical axis direction, a force unit arranged outside of the second cylinder, a force relay member arranged outside of the second cylinder and configured to contact the force unit, a first roller fixed to the force relay unit and configured to contact a first surface of the second cylinder, and to transmit a force to the first surface of the second cylinder, the force being applied by the force unit and relayed by the force relay unit; and a second roller fixed to the first cylinder, and configured to contact a second surface inside of the second cylinder, and to restrict a movement of the second cylinder in the optical axis direction by the force.

Abstract: The optical apparatus includes a first optical unit and a second optical unit that are movable in an optical axis direction, actuators that respectively move the first and second optical units in the optical axis direction, and a linking mechanism that is configured to link the first and second optical units with each other such that, in a state where the optical axis direction is tilted with respect to a horizontal direction and thereby an obliquely downward force caused by gravity acts on each of the first and second optical units in an obliquely downward direction, one of the first and second optical units works as a counterweight to provide an obliquely upward force acting on the other of the first and second optical units in an obliquely upward direction.

Abstract: An electromagnetic driving device which is defined with an axis and comprises: a casing, a driven unit and an electromagnetic driving module. The casing has an inner compartment. The driven unit is received in the compartment and is guided by a guiding mechanism such that the driven unit is movable alone the axis inside the casing. The electromagnetic driving module comprises: a plurality of permanent magnets inside the casing, at least one magnetic member fixed to an outer surface of the driven unit, and a coil located between the magnetic member and permanent magnets. When no electric power is provided to the coil, the magnetic forcing between the permanent magnets and magnetic member will result in a friction force to the guiding mechanism, so as to keep the driven unit at its current position inside the compartment.

Abstract: An exemplary actuator includes a base, a stationary frame mounted on the base, a moveable frame received in the stationary frame and supported on the base when the moveable frame is in a lowest position, and a driving unit received in the stationary frame and supported on the base. The moveable frame includes a frame body and a protrusion outwardly protruding from an outer wall of a corner of the frame body. The driving unit includes two parallel piezoelectric plates and two parallel resilient plates. The piezoelectric plates and the resilient plates are connected to each other end-to-end and cooperatively form a receiving hole therebetween. The protrusion is received in the receiving hole. The two resilient plates apply a preload to opposite side surfaces of the protrusion and retain the protrusion in position in the receiving hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piezoelectric actuator which has an improved driving force or drive efficiency. Specifically disclosed is a piezoelectric actuator which is provided with: a plurality of piezoelectric members which have a first piezoelectric element capable of being displaced in a first direction and a second piezoelectric element capable of being displaced in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and which are divided into a plurality of groups; a relative movement member which has a contact surface that is in contact with the piezoelectric members, and which moves relatively to the piezoelectric members in the first direction; and a drive unit which, when piezoelectric members of one group among the plurality of groups are in contact with the contact surface, drives the first piezoelectric element of the piezoelectric members.

Abstract: A VCM is disclosed, the VCM including a rotor having a first driving unit and arranged therein with a lens, a stator having a second driving unit wrapping the first driving unit and being opposite to the first driving unit, a base supporting the stator and having an opening formed at a position corresponding to that of the lens, a connection terminal including a pair of first and second connection terminals arranged at an upper surface of the base, and an elastic member including a first elastic member coupled to the rotor and electrically connected the first connection terminal and a second elastic member coupled to the rotor and electrically connected the second connection terminal.

Abstract: A lens driving device which can stably support a lead screw, and furthermore, can reduce driving load while maintaining a centering function for stabilizing a lens stop position. The lens driving device comprises a lens for holding member holding a photographic lens, a lead screw for moving the lens holding member forward and backward in a photographic optical axis direction, and a first support member and a second support member for rotationally supporting the lead screw. The second support member has a support concave portion having an apex for supporting the lead screw, and the lead screw has a support portion that is in point contact with the support concave portion having the apex.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lens driving apparatus. The lens driving apparatus includes a base, a yoke coupled to the base, having an upper surface formed with a hole, a closed side surface, and an opened bottom surface, a bobbin movably installed in an inner portion of the yoke, a lens module coupled to the bobbin to go in and out the hole according to movement of the bobbin, a magnet fixed to an inner portion of the yoke, a coil fixed to an outer portion of the bobbin while facing the magnets, and springs coupled to the bobbin to provide restoration force to the bobbin.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy drive device has drive control portion for displacing a shape memory alloy up to a target displacement value by applying a voltage or an electric current to the shape memory alloy by servo control, and also has contact detection portion for detecting a predetermined change in a drive control value, or, for example, a sharp increase in the drive control value, representing the amount of the voltage of the electric current applied by the drive control portion. When detecting a predetermined change, the contact detection portion determines that a movable portion having a lens etc. mounted thereon is in contact with a stationary mechanism. The shape memory alloy drive device further has drive limiting portion which, when the determination described above is made, causes the drive control portion to limit the target displacement value within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A camera module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a first shaft, which is disposed in a first axis direction and coupled to the housing in such a way that the other end part can be tilted against one end part, a moving guide, which is mounted on the first shaft in such a way that the moving guide can slide in the first axis direction, a second shaft, which is disposed in a second axis direction and supported by the housing in such a way that the second shaft can be tilted against the housing, a lens module, which is mounted on the second shaft in such a way that the lens module can slide in the second axis direction, and a driver, which moves the lens module in the first axis direction and the second axis direction.

Abstract: The optical element driving apparatus includes a voice coil motor moving an optical element in a first direction, and a magnetic sensor detecting a position of the optical element. A yoke of the motor includes a first yoke portion having a magnet attaching surface to which the magnet is attached and a second yoke portion disposed away from the first yoke portion in a second direction so as to form a space with magnet, allowing movement of a coil of the motor in the first direction. The second yoke portion is disposed closer to the magnetic sensor than the first yoke portion in a plane orthogonal to the first direction. In a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, a magnetic path width A of the second yoke portion and a width C of the magnet have the following relationship of A>C.

Abstract: A VCM is disclosed, the motor including a stator including a first driving unit, a rotor arranged inside the stator, including a second driving unit responding to the first driving unit and mounted therein with a lens, a base fixing the stator, and an elastic member coupled to the rotor to float the rotor from the base in a case a driving signal for driving the first and second driving units is not applied to the first and second driving units.

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: A piezoelectric driving module for lens, which defines a photographic optical axis and includes a housing, a driven object (e.g., a lens module), a piezo member, and a rubbing element. The piezo member and the rubbing element are provided in the housing and located on two lateral sides of the driven object respectively. The piezo member drives the driven object by friction so that the driven object can be moved along the photographic optical axis until focused. Meanwhile, a predetermined frictional force is generated between the rubbing element and the driven object to reduce a gravity-induced speed difference between forward and backward movements of the driven object along the photographic optical axis.

Abstract: A voice coil motor (VCM) includes a case, a lens holder, a spring sheet, a coil, a magnet assembly, and a guiding ring. The case includes an inner surface. The lens holder is received in the case. The spring sheet is connected between the case and the lens holder. The coil circles around the lens holder. The magnet assembly is positioned on the inner surface of the case. The guiding ring defines a guiding hole and is positioned on the inner surface of the case, and one end of the lens holder is received in the guiding hole.

Abstract: An actuator includes a base, a stationary frame mounted on the base, a moveable frame received in the stationary frame and supported on the base, a shaft mounted on a side surface of the moveable frame, a flexible printed circuit, a piezoelectric motor, a first guide pole and a second guide pole. The flexible printed circuit is mounted on a sidewall of the stationary frame facing the shaft. The piezoelectric motor is mounted on the flexible printed circuit and engages with the shaft, and the first and second guide poles prevent any misalignment of the movable frame at any time and allow only axial movement of the movable frame.

Abstract: An optical device includes an optical element through which light is transmitted, a frame that supports the optical element, magnets in the frame around the optical element, a base unit that movably supports the frame, a cover unit to cover the magnets, and magnetic force generating units in the cover unit in positions corresponding to the magnets and that generate magnetic force when an electrical signal is applied.

Abstract: A vibration actuator having excellent driving performance, a method for manufacturing the vibration actuator, a lens barrel and a camera. The vibration actuator is provided with: an electromechanical conversion element which converts an electric energy into a mechanical energy; an elastic body which generates vibration waves by oscillation of the electromechanical conversion element; a resin layer, which is formed of a conductive thermoplastic resin and bonds the electromechanical conversion element and the elastic body with each other; and a relatively moving member which is brought into contact with the elastic body with a pressure and is relatively moved to the elastic body by vibration waves.

Abstract: A light adjusting apparatus according to the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate having an optical aperture, a rotating shaft member which has been rotatably installed with respect to the first substrate and the second substrate, a light adjusting unit which is joined to the rotating shaft member, and a driving unit which moves the light adjusting unit by driving to rotate the rotating shaft member. Light which passes through the optical aperture is adjusted by moving the light adjusting unit by rotating the rotating shaft member by the driving unit. The light adjusting unit has a notch, and the rotating shaft member and the light adjusting unit are joined at the notch.

Abstract: An insert (18) for holding an optical system (90, 92), in particular a focusing optics, in a laser machining head (10) for machining a workpiece with a laser beam. The optical system (90, 92) is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the laser beam relative to the insert (18) via adjusting means. The adjusting means includes a linear adjusting device (64, 66, 68) with a synchronous linear motor (68). The laser machining head (10) has a housing (14) in which the insert (18) can be introduced laterally.

Abstract: Disclosed is a voice coil motor, the motor including a base having an opening, a foreign-substance trapping film provided on an upper surface of the base to trap foreign substances, a mover disposed on the base and including a bobbin supporting a lens and a coil block provided on an outer circumference of the bobbin, a stator supported on the base and having a magnet disposed to face the coil block, and an elastic member connected to the mover and the base to elastically support the mover, wherein a receiving portion is formed on the upper surface of the base along a boundary of the foreign-substance trapping film.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens frame which is movable while supporting a lens; and a restriction portion configured to restrict movement of the lens frame by contacting the lens frame. The lens frame and the restriction portion contact each other at a plurality of points.

Abstract: A lens driving device, which movably supports a lens assembly along a direction of an optical axis of a lens, includes an actuator base disposed to a lower side of the direction of the optical axis, a lens holder made of a ferromagnet that is disposed to an upper side of the actuator base and which has a tubular portion for holding the lens assembly, a ring-shaped driving coil fixed to the lens holder so as to be positioned around the tubular portion, a yoke covering the lens holder so as to be apart from the driving coil and to oppose to the lens holder in a state where the driving coil is sandwiched therebetween, and a guide arrangement guiding the lens holder along the direction of the optical axis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a piezo actuator and a lens actuating module using the piezo actuator. The lens actuating module includes a housing having an accommodating space. A lens barrel is accommodated in the accommodating space. A preload unit includes a locking part locked to the outer circumference of the lens barrel and preload parts extending from both edges of the locking part outwards relative to the lens barrel. A piezo actuator is interposed between the preload parts and supported at a side thereof by force of the preload parts, the side being bent and deformed inwards and outwards, thus applying force for actuating the lens barrel in a direction of an optical axis to the preload unit. The piezo actuator which is simple in structure and assembling process and has improved actuating reliability and the lens actuating module using the piezo actuator are achieved.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a camera lens element supported on the support structure by a plurality of resilient flexures that guide movement of the movable element along the optical axis. A shape memory alloy actuator biassed by the resilient flexures and an additional resilient biassing element is arranged to drive movement of the camera lens element. An end-stop limits movement of the camera lens element at a position where the shape memory alloy actuator has a predetermined length that is above the length corresponding on the local maximum resistance by an amount not greater than 15% of the difference between (i) the length corresponding to the local maximum resistance and (ii) the length corresponding to the local minimum resistance.

Abstract: A drive unit includes: a holding member holding an object to be driven; a polymer actuator device provided on one side of the object to be driven; one or more supporting members provided on the other side of the object to be driven; and a fixing member directly or indirectly fixing a first end of each of the polymer actuator device and the supporting members. A second end of each of the polymer actuator device and the supporting members is directly or indirectly connected to an end of the holding member.

Abstract: Position detecting apparatus that has a high detecting precision and a lens barrel assembly including the same are disclosed. A position detecting apparatus is provided that includes a base; a magnetic scale spaced apart from the base by a first predetermined distance and movable in a first direction; a first adjustment portion coupled to the base to adjust a second distance from the base; and a sensor rotatably coupled to the first adjustment portion and that senses a change in a position of the magnetic scale.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a lens assembly comprising a flexible lens body (10) inside a cavity bounded by a sidewall (11) and a first transparent cover (13), and a second transparent cover (14), wherein both covers (13,14) are in contact with respective surfaces of the lens body (10). Piezo electric elements (12) shapes the lens body (10) when activated, thereby adjusting the focal length of the lens assembly.

Abstract: An electromagnetic lens driving device includes a casing, a lens module, a positioning structure, and an electromagnetic driving module. The lens module is provided in a receiving space defined in the casing. The positioning structure, which is connected between the lens module and the casing, is configured to limit the lens module within the receiving space and generate a frictional force. The electromagnetic driving module is provided in the receiving space and corresponds in position to the lens module. When supplied with electricity, the electromagnetic driving module generates a magnetic force that drives the lens module to move along a central axis. Once the electricity is cut off, the lens module is fixed in position and prevented from moving freely by the frictional force of the positioning structure; hence, the electromagnetic lens driving features economical use of electricity.

Abstract: An actuator includes a base, a stationary frame mounted on the base, a driving member, a moveable frame, and guide poles. The base includes a plate having an aperture and a ring-shaped protrusion extending from the plate and surrounding the aperture. The driving member includes a piezoelectric motor fixed on the base and a ring-shaped transmission unit having a first end surface and an opposite second end surface. The transmission unit rotatably sleeves on the protrusion. The first end surface contacts the piezoelectric motor. The second end surface defines a wedge-shaped groove. The moveable frame includes a body and a wedge-shaped stripe extending from the body toward the wedge-shaped groove. The moveable frame is supported by the second end surface. The wedge-shaped stripe partially or entirely engages in the wedge-shaped groove. The guide poles extend through the moveable frame.

Abstract: A plate spring includes holding section, first attached section, second attached section, first spring section connected between the holding section and the second attached section, and a second spring section connected between the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion. The holding section has a first edge, second edge opposite to the first edge, and a third edge. The first attached section is positioned adjacent to an intersection of the third edge and the second edge. The second attached section is positioned adjacent to an intersection of the third edge and the first edge. The first spring section has a wavy configuration and extends from an end of the first edge to the second attached section. The second spring section also has a wavy configuration and extends from an end of the second to the first attached section. The present disclosure also provides a voice coil motor.

Abstract: Provided are a small objective lens (OBL) holder in which coils can be easily incorporated, and the like. An OBL holder of the present invention includes: a main surface portion provided with a circular opening portion in which an objective lens is fixed; and four side wall portions integrally extending downward from a peripheral portion of the main surface portion. The side wall portions include: a first side-wall portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the OBL holder; a second side-wall portion opposed to the first side-wall portion; a third side-wall portion extending in a short-side direction of the OBL holder; and a fourth side-wall portion, which are provided on the rear, front, right and left sides in the drawing, respectively. Accommodation regions capable of accommodating focusing coils are arranged on one side and the other side of the objective lens.

Abstract: An optical module includes a substrate, an optical element directly built in a predetermined area of the substrate, and a piezoelectric element directly formed on the substrate along the circumference of the optical element. The piezoelectric element drives the optical element, by displacing the predetermined area of the substrate, in such a manner to displace the optical element in the direction of the optical axis of the optical element or to incline the optical axis of the optical element.

Abstract: An exemplary actuator includes a base, a stationary frame mounted on the base, a moveable frame received in the stationary frame and supported on the base when the moveable frame is in a lowest position, and a driving unit received in the stationary frame and supported on the base. The moveable frame includes a frame body and a protrusion outwardly protruding from an outer wall of a corner of the frame body. The driving unit includes two parallel piezoelectric plates and two parallel resilient plates. The piezoelectric plates and the resilient plates are connected to each other end-to-end and cooperatively form a receiving hole therebetween. The protrusion is received in the receiving hole. The two resilient plates apply a preload to opposite side surfaces of the protrusion and retain the protrusion in position in the receiving hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lens driving apparatus. The lens driving apparatus includes a base formed at a center thereof with a first opening; a housing coupled with the base and having a second opening corresponding to the first opening; a yoke installed on the base and including a horizontal plate having a third opening corresponding to the first opening and a vertical plate protruding upward from the horizontal plate; a bobbin movably installed in the yoke and coupled with a lens module; a coil fixedly disposed around the bobbin; a plurality of magnets provided at the vertical plate of the yoke to face the coil; and a spring installed on at least one of upper and lower portions of the yoke to return the bobbin, which has moved up due to interaction between the magnet and the coil, to its initial position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing camera modules for use in portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, is provided. More specifically, in camera modules utilizing lens motion type auto focus actuation, permanent magnets associated with voice coil motors utilized in the auto focus system, generate magnetic flux that can interfere with the process of bonding image sensors to camera modules if the permanent magnets of different voice coil motors are positioned too closely. Incorporating a magnetic shield into the manufacturing process to restrain or control the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnets permits voice coil motors to be positioned closer together during the manufacturing process. This increases manufacturing throughput and reduces cost.

Abstract: A biasing spring is interposed between a coupling plate and a covering section while being compressed from its natural length. The biasing spring biases, by its resilient force, a lens unit toward a ?Z side to bring a surface of the lens unit at the ?Z side into contact with an abutment portion of a fixing frame section. When a temperature of an actuator is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, a biasing force of the biasing spring surpasses a force generated in the actuator, and thus the lens unit is not moved. When the actuator is heated up to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the lens unit is continuously moved in the +Z direction. Thereby, movement of a lens due to a change of an environmental temperature can be prevented.

Abstract: A lens drive device may include a front side spring member which is connected between a movable body having a lens and a support body. The front side spring member includes a support body side connecting part, a movable body side connecting part and a arm part connected between the support body side connecting part and the movable body side connecting part. The support body includes a yoke having a yoke front plate part and the yoke front plate part is formed with a yoke opening part which is overlapped with at least a part of the front side spring member. Damper material having viscoelasticity is provided, for example, on a portion extending over the movable body side connecting part and the arm part and overlapped with the yoke opening part in the lens optical axis direction. Therefore, the damper material can be applied to the front side spring member through the yoke opening part in the final stage of assembling steps.

Abstract: A lens module includes a lens, a cam and an actuator. The lens has two driven parts disposed at one side of the lens. The cam is disposed beside the lens and has a rotation shaft and two cam surfaces, and a portion of the cam is located between the two driven parts. The two cam surfaces have the same shape and are on opposite sides of the cam. The two cam surfaces are in contact with the two driven parts respectively. The actuator is coupled with the rotation shaft and adapted to rotate the cam.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic motor, comprising: a vibrator including a piezoelectric element and a contact surface to be brought into contact with a member to be driven, the vibrator driving the member to be driven by an ultrasonic vibration excited by the piezoelectric element; a holding part configured to hold the vibrator; a pressurization unit configured to apply a bias force for biasing the holding part toward the member to be driven so as to impress the contact surface against the member to be driven; and a fixing unit configured to support the pressurization unit, in which the holding part holds the vibrator on both sides of the contact surface in a driving direction of the member to be driven.

Abstract: A lens apparatus is capable of adjusting only the inclination of an optical axis in a desired direction. A focus lens frame is movably supported by a first guide shaft and a second guide shaft. The first guide shaft is provided in a lens barrel with both end parts of the first guide shaft being fixed. A front end part of the second guide shaft is swingably supported, a rear end part thereof is fitted into a horizontal elongate hole, and the second guide shaft is movably supported only in a horizontal direction. The second guide shaft is inserted through a first elongate hole formed in a swinging frame, and when the swinging frame is swung, the second guide shaft is horizontally swung. Then, when the second guide shaft is horizontally swung, the focus lens frame is horizontally swung, whereby the horizontal inclination of the optical axis is adjusted.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including a slider configured to be slidable along a sliding direction; and a driving force applying unit comprising a plurality of contact portions disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a direction crossing the sliding direction of the slider and for applying force to the slider by vibrating the contact portions. An optical system including a lens assembly comprising a lens unit comprising at least one lens and a moveable lens frame supporting the lens unit; and an actuator assembly as disclosed above. A driving force applying unit including a plurality of contact portions configured to contact the base plate and disposed in the slider to be spaced apart from each other in a direction crossing the sliding direction and configured to apply force to the base plate by vibrating the contact portions.

Abstract: Position sensor assemblies having compact structures and capable of precisely sensing a position change, and optical devices including the same are disclosed. A position sensor assembly is provided that includes: a sensing unit that outputs a signal varying as a magnetic force varies; and a magnet spaced apart from the sensing unit and i movably disposed with respect to the sensing unit, and comprising protrusion units of opposite polarities that protrude from each end portion of the magnet in one surface of the magnet toward the sensing unit.

Abstract: The motor drive apparatus includes a driven member, a stepping motor to drive the driven member, a driver to produce a drive signal for driving the stepping motor and whose signal value periodically changes, a memory to store data for setting a reference signal value as the signal value and a target movement amount of the driven member for each one-step drive of the stepping motor to be driven according to the drive signal having the reference signal value, and a detector to detect an actual movement amount of the driven member for each one-step drive of the stepping motor actually driven according to the drive signal having the reference signal value. The driver changes the signal value of the drive signal from the reference signal value to another signal value so as to reduce difference between the target movement amount and the actual movement amount.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator with low susceptibility to friction and rubbing is provided. A piezoelectric actuator of the present invention is provided with protruding portions, first piezoelectric actuators and second piezoelectric actuators. The protruding portions protrude from a first face of a base member toward a moving member, and are capable of supporting the moving member. The first piezoelectric actuators are provided along members other than the protruding portions and are capable of expanding and contracting in an orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the first face. The second piezoelectric actuators are provided along the members other than the protruding portions and are capable of expanding and contracting in a direction other than the orthogonal direction.

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

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: A lens driving apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a substantially cylindrical yoke 3; a base 5 to which the yoke 3 is attached; a carrier 7 having a lens; a coil 10; and a magnet 13, wherein the carrier 7 is moved in a direction of an optical axis of a lens by electromagnetic force generated by passing current through the coil 10, the base 5 is substantially square-shaped as viewed from a plane, the yoke 3 is placed at an inner position of the base 5, the yoke 3 has an outer peripheral wall 3a and an annular inner peripheral wall 3b to be spaced to each other, each magnet is placed between the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall and at a position corresponding to a base corner portion of the base 5, and a space between the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b positioned at a base side portion 3e is made narrower than a space between the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b positioned at the base corner portion.