Abstract: An image capturing device includes a housing, a camera module, a motion detector and a driving module. The housing defines a receiving cavity therein. The camera module is flexibly received in the receiving cavity. The motion detector is fixedly positioned on the camera module and is configured for detecting a rotational movement of the camera module. The driving module includes a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member. The first magnetic member is positioned on the camera module. The second magnetic member is positioned on the housing. The driving module is configured for driving the camera module to rotate through interaction of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member to counteract the detected rotational movement of the camera module.

Abstract: Provided is a camera module that includes a lens section comprising at least one lens, a coil section fixed to the lens section and comprising wiring terminals, a magnet section comprising a permanent magnet, an inner yoke, and an outer yoke, wherein the inner yoke and the outer yoke induce a magnetic force line to pass through the coil section, and a terminal extension section comprising a first terminal and a second terminal that electrically extend from the wiring terminals of the coil section to the outside of the camera module and surround the magnet section so that the first terminal and the second terminal are externally exposed.

Abstract: A device for moving an optical element along an axis includes a housing in which is mounted a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly has an axial bore therethrough. An electrically conductive coil assembly has an axial bore therethrough substantially concentric with the magnet assembly's bore. The coil assembly is mounted at least partially within the magnet assembly bore for limited axial movement relative thereto. The coil assembly is placeable in electrical communication with a power source, and can support an optical element within the coil assembly's bore. A sensor is affixed for movement with the coil assembly that is adapted for sensing an axial position of the coil assembly. The sensor is placeable in signal communication with a current source for adjusting current delivered to the coil assembly based upon the sensed axial position.

Abstract: A linear actuator assembly is provided, the assembly including a linear actuator, an elongated guide spaced in parallel alignment with the linear actuator and a movable carriage disposed therebetween. The carriage includes a first notch to receive a rod of the linear actuator and a second notch to receive the guide. The carriage remains in direct and continuous contact with the linear actuator and the guide at the first notch and second notch, respectively, when the carriage moves linearly back and forth along a travel axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image photographing device, and is invented to absorb vibration of the plate spring when the lens holder is moved, thereby stabilizing rapidly the lens holder. According to one example, the small camera provided with a damper includes a lens holder provided with lens and driven in an optical axial direction, a fixing unit housing the lens holder, a plate spring which is arranged to the upper part or lower part of the lens holder and connects the lens holder to the fixing unit and supports it so that the lens holder is moved in an optical axial direction, a driving unit for driving the lens holder in an optical axial direction, a support unit arranged on the lower parts of the lens holder and the fixing unit, and a damper member attached to the plate spring for absorbing vibrations of the plate spring wherein the damper member is made with polymer chemical having an elastic force and the elastic force of the damper member is smaller than that of the plate spring.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a fixed housing, a movable lens holder movably received in the fixed housing, a base mounted to the fixed housing, a guide rod, and a piezoelectric actuator. The fixed housing has an opening defined at a corner thereof. The lens holder has a through hole formed therein, and the through hole is arranged opposite to the opening, a central axis of the through hole is parallel with an optical axis of the lens. The guide rod extends through the through hole, two ends of the guide rod coupled to the fixed housing and the base. The piezoelectric actuator is fixedly arranged in the opening of the fixed housing and in contact with an outer side surface of the lens holder. The piezoelectric actuator is deformable in itself along the optical axis thereby driving the lens holder to move along the guide rod in the first receiving space.

Abstract: A voice coil motor is disclosed, the motor including: a rotor including a lens improved in an optical characteristic of an incident light and a coil block arranged at a periphery of the lens; a stator including a magnet opposite to the coil block of the rotor; elastic members respectively coupled to an upper end and a bottom end opposite to the upper end of the lens to elastically support the rotor; and a base fixing the rotor and the stator.

Abstract: A driving circuit drives a voice coil motor having a spring return mechanism. A driving current generating unit supplies, to a coil of the voice coil motor, a driving current that corresponds to an analog control signal. Waveform memory stores digital waveform data which indicates the time waveform of a driving current to be supplied to the voice coil motor. A predetermined frequency component is removed from the frequency components of the waveform data. A control unit reads out the waveform data from the waveform memory at a rate that corresponds to the resonance frequency of the voice coil motor, and outputs the waveform data thus read out as a digital code. A D/A converter converts a digital code into an analog control signal, and outputs the analog control signal to the driving current generating unit.

Abstract: A lens drive device formed in a substantially quadrangular shape may include a movable body holding a lens, a fixed body movably holding the movable body, and a drive mechanism for driving the movable body in the optical axis direction. The drive mechanism may include first drive magnets respectively disposed on four side faces of the lens drive device, a second drive magnet for restraining inclination which is disposed on at least one of four corners of the lens drive device, and a drive coil which is wound around in a substantially octagonal shape. Magnetic flux passing through the drive coil at one of the four corners of the lens drive device is different from magnetic fluxes passing through the drive coil at the other three corners, or magnetic fluxes passing through the drive coil at two corners adjacent to each other of the four corners of the lens drive device are different from magnetic fluxes passing through the drive coil at the other two corners.

Abstract: Provided is a lens unit comprising an actuator that is self-supporting when at a stopped position. The lens unit comprises a holding frame that holds a lens; a movement actuator that moves the holding frame, which is connected to a moving member that moves linearly relative to a stator, when drive force is generated, and does not prevent the moving member from moving relative to the stator when the moving member is stopped; and a braking actuator that stops the moving member from moving relative to the stator, using frictional force, when the movement actuator is not generating the drive force, and decreases the frictional force when the movement actuator generates the drive force.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a family of microscopes, each with at least one lens group that includes at least one lens and a lens mount and moves along the optical axis via a drive system for The drive system includes a rotary motor and transmission elements to convert the rotary motion to linear motion to transmit the translational movement to the lens group, and, simultaneously, to prevent rotations of the lens group about the optical axis. In an embodiment, the rotating output shaft of the motor is connected with a screw spindle that engages with a threaded hole machined into the lens mount, so that the lens group is directly moved in a translational manner. The engagement of the screw spindle with the lens mount both effects the translational movement of the lens group and secures the lens group against rotation about the optical axis.

Abstract: A compact camera modules has first, second, and third lens groups that move along an optical axis. A stepping motor is centered on the optical axis rather than offset from the optical axis. The motor has two coils that are fixed in place and a shared rotating magnet. The magnet is attached to a rotating guide that has slots to move the first and second lens groups as it rotates. The two coils are alternately energized rotate the magnet, the rotating guide, and to move the first and second lens groups for zoom. The magnet has alternating thicker and thinner segments of opposite polarity. The thicker segments exert a greater force on an autofocus coil that is energized to move the third lens for the autofocus function. The same shared rotating magnet is used for both zoom and autofocus functions. A more compact design is possible using a shared magnet.

Abstract: A drive unit includes an ultrasonic actuator, which has an actuator body formed using a piezoelectric element and outputs a driving force by vibration of the actuator body, and a control section which induces vibration in the actuator body by supplying a plurality of AC voltages to the piezoelectric element. The control section provides, in combination, phase control, which controls the driving force by adjusting a phase difference between a first and a second AC voltages, and wave-number control, which controls the driving force by adjusting the wave number included in a predetermined burst period in each AC voltage.

Abstract: A small imaging apparatus (1) implementing an optical image stabilizing function has a vibratory driving device (3) which comprises a driving shaft (7), an electromechanical transducer (6) consisting of a plurality of elongatable portions capable of elongating and contracting in an axial direction of the driving shaft (7) respectively and integrated with each other, and a driving member (8) slidably engaging on the driving shaft (7); a axially movable optical member (10) of which position is restrained in the axial direction by the driving member (8); and a vertically movable optical member (9, 11) of which position is restrained in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction by the driving shaft (7), the elongatable portions uniformly elongating and contracting repeatedly to displace the driving member (8) slidingly on the driving shaft (7), and unequally elongating or contracting to incline the driving shaft (7) to displace the driving member (8).

Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel includes a vibration actuator that drives a focusing lens which brings a subject image into focus; an amplifying section that applies a pair of driving signals amplified to the vibration actuator; a phase shifting section that changes a phase difference between the pair of the driving signals; and a control section that, when a signal for giving an instruction to drive the vibration actuator is input, executes a first processing of causing the phase shifting section to perform an operation which periodically changes the phase difference of the pair of the driving signals.

Abstract: A miniature auto-focusing lens device includes a first casing, a second casing coupled to the first casing, a movable lens set disposed in the first casing, an electromagnetic driving module provided in the first casing and configured to drive the movable lens set to perform focusing and displacement, and a fixed lens set coupled to the second casing and corresponding in position to the movable lens set. The movable lens set and the fixed lens set together form an optical system of the miniature auto-focusing lens device to perform optical focusing and imaging. The fixed lens set includes a lens that outstrips any one of the lenses of the movable lens set in size.

Abstract: A method for driving a lens and a lens driving apparatus, the lens driving apparatus including a base in which a guide member is disposed; a lens support member comprising an installation unit disposed on one side thereof to slidingly move along the guide member, wherein at least one lens is mounted in the lens support member; a driving structure configured to move the lens support member and comprising a lead screw; a working member having one portion contacting the driving structure and another portion contacting one side of the installation unit; an elastic member for providing the installation unit with an elastic force; and wherein a predetermined space is disposed between the installation unit and the base, and wherein the installation unit is configured to be moved to the base by a means other than the driving structure.

Abstract: A lens drive device may include a movable body holding a lens and a drive mechanism for driving the movable body in the optical axis direction. The drive mechanism may include a drive magnet part formed in a substantially triangular prism shape which is disposed at least one of four corners of the lens drive device, a drive coil wound around in a substantially triangular tube shape so that its inner peripheral face is oppositely disposed to an outer peripheral face of the drive magnet part through a gap space, and a magnetic member which is disposed on an object side with respect to the drive coil. The magnetic member is attracted toward an intermediate position of the drive magnet part in the optical axis 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: An exemplary voice coil motor includes a fixed body, a movable barrel, a number of upper rollers, and a number of lower rollers. The fixed body includes a first receiving cavity, a number of upper recesses, and a number of lower recesses. The upper recesses and lower recesses are respectively arranged at opposite ends of the fixed body, and communicate with the first receiving cavity. The movable barrel is movably received in the first receiving cavity. The upper rollers are engagingly received in the corresponding upper recesses, and engage with the movable barrel for applying first friction forces to the movable barrel. The lower rollers are engagingly received in the lower recesses, and engage with the movable barrel for applying second friction forces to the movable barrel.

Abstract: A driving mechanism driving a first member and a second member relative to each other which includes a piezoelectric element that drives the first member, a base member that movably supports the first member with the piezoelectric element interposed therebetween, and an electrode portion that is supplied with a driving voltage of the piezoelectric element. The electrode portion includes an exposed portion exposed from the base member.

Abstract: An exemplary voice coil motor includes a movable unit, a fixed unit, and a resilient plate. The movable unit includes a hollow lens barrel for accommodating a number of lenses, and at least one fine pattern coil fixed on a sidewall of the lens barrel and configured for electrical connection to a power source. The fixed unit includes a hollow frame structured bracket and a number of magnets mounted on the bracket. The bracket accommodates the movable unit. The magnets surround and are spaced apart from the at least one fine pattern coil. The resilient plate is resiliently connected between the bracket and the lens barrel to hold the lens barrel on the bracket.

Abstract: There is provided a lens module. The lens module according to the present invention may include a lens unit including one or more lenses, each having a lens function part and a flange part forming a circumference of the lens function part; and a piezoelectric body disposed on the flange part so as to shield unnecessary light incident through the lens unit and performing autofocusing according to an application of voltage thereto.

Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a stationary member and a moveable member. The stationary member defines a central axis. The stationary member includes a first receiving room, four sidewalls surrounding the first receiving room and four guide rails formed on the respective sidewalls and located in the receiving room. The moveable member is received in the stationary frame. The moveable member includes a moveable frame. The moveable frame includes four side surfaces. A plurality of restricting posts extend from each side surface and are aligned in a line parallel to the corresponding guide rail. The restricting posts slidably engage in the corresponding guide rails.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lens actuating module for realizing focus adjustment and optical zooming. The lens actuating module includes a rod which is disposed on one side of a lens barrel on which at least one lens is mounted, and has an axis direction corresponding to an optical axis direction of the lens barrel, a driving force transmission member which has a conjoining recess to be conjoined with an outside surface of the rod and has magnetism so as to be conjoined with the outside surface of the rod due to a magnetic force, and a piezoelectric actuator which is disposed on one side of the driving force transmission member in the optical axis direction to provide an axis direction driving force to the rod via the driving force transmission member.

Abstract: A lens driving device suppresses inward deformation of posts when the winding of a conductive wire generates a winding pressure. A lens driving device 1 includes a holder 10 that holds a lens unit 13. The holder 10 is movable in an optical axis direction of the lens unit 13. A magnet 20 surrounds the lens unit 13 in a radial direction of the lens unit 13. The magnet 20 is fixed to the holder 10. A coil 60 surrounds the holder 10 in the radial direction. The coil 60 faces the magnet in the radial direction. Posts surround the holder in the radial direction. The posts to which the coil is wound extends in the optical axis direction. A beam connects ends of the posts facing the same direction in the optical axis direction with each other. The beam is connected to each end of the posts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration actuator which can be arranged in a limited space, and which has excellent drive performance. Also disclosed are a lens barrel and a camera, which are provided therewith. Specifically disclosed is a vibration actuator which includes: a piezoelectric body which has a first surface, and which is excited by an electrical signal; a vibration body which is joined to the first surface, and which has a second surface on which vibration waves are generated by the excitation; and a moving body which is brought into pressure contact with the second surface, and which moves relatively to the vibration body, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric body is different in the direction of the relative movement of the moving body.

Abstract: This invention provides an auto-focusing lens driving device having a movable member, the movable member comprising: a cylinder-shaped lens carrier whose exterior is wound with a coil and whose interior defines a hollow portion for receiving an optical system; and two separate conductive elastic pieces which are each disposed at one side of the cylinder-shaped lens carrier along an optical axis; wherein each one of the two ends of the coil is micro-welded and joined to a corresponding one of the two conductive elastic pieces by thermal pressing technique, and a thermal pressing region having an area of less than 1 mm2 is formed at the end of the coil.

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: In a driving device, a distance from a guide member to a vibrator is less than that from the guide member to a permanent magnet in a plane perpendicular to a guiding direction of a guide member. An attraction force between the permanent magnet and a magnetic body acts as a force to rotate (i.e., a rotating force) a holding member about an axis of the guide member, and the vibrator is pressed against a contact member by the rotating force.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a stationary frame and a number of elongated resilient tabs. The stationary frame defines a central axis and includes four sidewalls for receiving a number of magnets. Each sidewall includes a receiving hole and at least one protrusion formed on each sidewall at a lower portion thereof. A slot is defined in each protrusion. The tabs correspond to the magnets. Each tab includes an engagement portion, an angled portion, and a contact portion. The angled portion is interconnected between the engagement portion and the contact portion. The engagement portions engage in the respective slots. The contact portions resiliently abut against the corresponding magnets. Each tab is configured to apply a force on the corresponding magnet in a direction toward the central axis.

Abstract: An oscillation motor is adapted to press an oscillator toward a driven body in a stable state and increasing a drive efficiency. A lens driving mechanism is adapted to move a lens with excellent efficiency by using the oscillation motor. An oscillation motor generates motive power by pressure contact with a driven body to transmit vibration of the oscillator to the driven body. The oscillation motor includes the oscillator having a convex output portion on a side surface at one end side. The output portion of the oscillator is arranged to contact with the driven body. A press mechanism is also provided on a side surface at the other end side of the oscillator. The press mechanism includes a pressure correction device rotatably equipped at a position where the pressure correction device contacts with the oscillator, and the pressure correction device applies a pressure to the oscillator in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An exemplary piezoelectric actuator includes a fixed barrel, a movable barrel in the fixed barrel, a piezoelectric driving module, a flexible circuit board on the fixed barrel, a bracing sheet, and a preloading module. The movable barrel receives a lens module. The driving module drives the movable barrel to move relative to the fixed barrel along an optical axis of the lens module. The driving module includes a piezoelectric member on the fixed barrel, and a friction member on the movable barrel and opposite to the friction member. The flexible circuit board is electrically connected with the piezoelectric member. The sheet is attached around the flexible circuit board. The preloading module is between the fixed barrel and the movable barrel. The preloading module is opposite to the piezoelectric driving module for exerting a pressure on the movable barrel, thereby making the friction member resist against the piezoelectric member.

Abstract: A lens driving device has a carrier, a coil, an upper spring, a lower spring, a yoke, a magnet, and a lower member. The carrier is cylindrical and has a hollow part along a vertical direction so that a lens can be carried. The coil is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the carrier. The upper spring is arranged over the carrier, and fixed to the yoke. The lower spring is arranged below the carrier. The yoke is formed into a box shape having a side wall and an opening on the lower side, and arranged around the carrier. The magnet is arranged in the yoke so as to be opposed to the coil. The lower member is arranged below the yoke. The lower member has a projection part connected to the yoke. The projection part is inserted between an inner surface of the side wall of the yoke and an outer surface of the magnet and connected to the yoke. Thus, the yoke and the lower member can be connected such that space for the magnet to be arranged in the yoke is less affected.

Abstract: In a lens driving device, magnetic attraction plates that are magnetic bodies are disposed on a fixed frame at both ends of a movement region of a movable unit. Therefore, when the movable unit moves in the fixed frame to one side or to the other side in the fixed frame and reaches a position at either end of the fixed frame, magnets on the movable unit are magnetically attracted to the magnetic attraction plates on the fixed frame continuously. As a result, the movable unit can be retained at the position even when the coil becomes de-energized.

Abstract: An optical device may include a movable body holding a lens, a fixed body movably holding the movable body, a drive magnet and a drive coil for relatively moving the movable body with respect to the fixed body, and a metal member fixed to the drive magnet. The drive magnet is fixed to one of the movable body and the fixed body and the drive coil is fixed to the other of the movable body and the fixed body. A nickel plating layer containing at least nickel is formed on a surface of the drive magnet and a surface of the metal member, and the drive magnet and the metal member are joined to each other by a joining layer which is made of tin-based metal containing at least tin and is disposed between the drive magnet and the metal member.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided including a voice coil motor (VCM); a lens connected to the voice coil motor; and a pulse-width modulation (PWM) driver connected to the voice coil motor to at least partially control movement of the lens by the voice coil motor.

Abstract: An apparatus of auto-focus module and the related assembly method are provided. The module includes a focus-driving module and a photo-sensor module. The focus-driving module includes a lens set and a focus-driving device. The outer circumference of the lens is a smooth surface and the inner circumference of the lens holder is also a smooth surface. The assembly method includes the steps of: sheathing the lens into the lens holder of the focus-driving device and fastening the lens to the lens holder to form a focus-driving module; maintaining a gap as the space for adjusting the locations of the focus-driving module and the photo-sensor module, and after adjustment, fastening the focus-driving module and the photo-sensor module.

Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a stationary member, a moveable member, a base, and two guide posts. The stationary member includes a stationary frame and a number of magnets fixed on the stationary frame. The stationary frame defines a first receiving room. The moveable member is received in the first receiving room and includes a barrel holder and a coil. The barrel holder defines a second receiving room for receiving a lens barrel. The coil wraps around the barrel holder. Two through holes extend from a top surface to a bottom surface of the barrel holder. The base supports the stationary member and the moveable member. The guide posts are perpendicularly fixed on the base and pass through the through holes of the moveable member.

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 drive module includes a drive unit having a cylindrical supporting member, a driven member accommodated inside the supporting member, and a driving unit configured to reciprocally move the driven member along the axial direction of the supporting member. A top-covered cylindrical cover is attached to the drive unit and covers the drive unit. The cover includes a metallic exterior packaging member configured to cover at least an outer periphery of the drive unit to shield the drive unit from external electromagnetic fields, and a resin spacer attached to the exterior packaging member, the spacer having engaging portions engageable with the drive unit to achieve positioning of the cover.

Abstract: A magnet holding structure of auto-focus module includes an outer frame for holding four magnets to four inner wall surfaces of the outer frame; a lens holder for holding a lens thereto and being assembled to the outer frame via at least one spring member; and a winding fitted around the lens holder for driving the lens holder to axially move forward or rearward to focus automatically. The outer frame is provided at each of four inner corners with an inverted L-shaped plate extending downward from a top of the outer frame to locate between the lens holder and the winding, so as to face toward four spaces respectively existing between two adjacent magnets outside the winding. With these arrangements, the electromagnetic field produced by the winding can have enhanced magnetic efficiency and increased driving force at the corners of the winding to achieve the purpose of power saving.

Abstract: The present invention provides an autofocus module including: a supporting base, an electrical focusing element and an conductive element, wherein the supporting base at least accommodates one lens element, the electrical focusing element is disposed at one end of the supporting base so that the electrical focusing element and the lens element are positioned along a common optical lens, and the conductive element is embedded in the supporting base and connected to the electrical focusing element and an external power source respectively. The electrical focusing element obtains power through the conductive element, and by controlling the power magnitude supplied to the electrical focusing element, the focal length thereof can be changed accordingly, thereby carrying out the autofocus operation.

Abstract: An auto-focus lens module includes a lens holder, a movable member, and a focusing spring assembly. The lens holder includes an immovable member and an upper plate. The upper plate has a surface facing the immovable member. First recesses are defined in the first surface. The movable member is received in the immovable member, and includes a lens barrel and ring. The lens barrel has a top surface. The ring is protruded from the top surface of the lens barrel. Arc portions equidistantly extend upward from the ring and are received in the recesses correspondingly. The focusing spring assembly contacts the immovable member and confines the movable member in the immovable member.

Abstract: To provide a vibration actuator having good driving performance even when miniaturized, and a lens barrel and camera provided with the same. A first aspect of the present invention is to provide a vibration actuator comprising, an electromechanical conversion element, having a first joining face, and which is subject to excitation, an elastic body having a second joining face which is joined to the first joining face, and a driving face which gives rise to vibration waves as a result of said excitation, and a relative moving member, having a contact face which is in pressure contact with the driving face, which is driven by the vibration waves, and which moves relative to the elastic body, wherein an outer shape of said first joining face has a shape which differs from an outer shape of said contact face.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a fixed housing, a movable lens holder movably received in the fixed housing, a base mounted to the fixed housing, a guide rod, and a piezoelectric actuator. The fixed housing has an opening defined at a corner thereof. The lens holder has a through hole formed therein, and the through hole is arranged opposite to the opening, a central axis of the through hole is parallel with an optical axis of the lens. The guide rod extends through the through hole, two ends of the guide rod coupled to the fixed housing and the base. The piezoelectric actuator is fixedly arranged in the opening of the fixed housing and in contact with an outer side surface of the lens holder. The piezoelectric actuator is deformable in itself along the optical axis thereby driving the lens holder to move along the guide rod in the first receiving space.

Abstract: A lens driving device 1 is provided, in which a spring 11 includes an outer ring portion 11b that is fixed to a body 5, an inner ring portion 11a that is fixed to a lens support 7, and an arm portion 11c that connects the outer ring portion 11b and the inner ring portion 11a, and the lens support 7 is moved in an optical axis direction of a lens by way of an electromagnetic force that is generated by applying electric current to a coil 15 from a terminal member 6, the terminal member 6 including a superimposed portion 6a that is superimposed on the outer ring portion of 11b of the spring 11, and a power supply terminal 6b that protrudes from the superimposed portion 6a, and the terminal member 6 disposing the superimposed portion 6a between the outer ring portion 11b of the spring and the body 5.

Abstract: A lens driving device prevents its holder from tilting while driving the lens, and has a small number of components, low cost, and small size. The lens driving device includes a base, a holder, magnets, and magnetic plates. The base includes a projection having a hook-shaped cross section. The holder includes a rotation inhibitor which comes into contact with the projection of the base. The holder is supported to the base by one shaft. One magnetic plate is located further from the shaft than the center of the magnet is. The other magnetic plate is located closer to the shaft than the center of the magnet is. The magnetic forces generated between the magnetic plates and the magnets make the holder subjected to a torque on the shaft. The torque allows the rotation inhibitor to be slightly pressed against the projection.

Abstract: A barrel module and an imaging apparatus including the same. The barrel module includes: a base having a surface on which an image pickup device is disposed; a lens barrel disposed on the base; a driver for providing driving power to move the lens barrel up and down over the base; a clip connected to the driver to be disposed between the driver and the lens barrel; and an elastic member for providing elasticity between the lens barrel and the clip, wherein the lens barrel moves from an original position toward the base according to an external force is applied, and when the external force is removed, the lens barrel goes back to the original location due to the elasticity of the elastic member.

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.