Abstract: A voice coil motor for driving a lens group includes a housing, a first cover, a second cover, a movable member, and a plurality of magnets. The housing is a hollow and includes a top plate and four sidewalls protruding from the top plate. The movable member is movably received in a space defined by the housing and the first and second covers, and includes a barrel for receiving and being connected to the lens group, and a coil arranged around the barrel. The magnets are arranged between the housing and the movable member, stayed in contact with the sidewalls, and drive the movable member and the lens group to move in the housing when a current is supplied to the coil.

Abstract: A lens holding device includes a movable part having a coil attached to a lens holder holding a lens and includes a magnet part arranged around an outer peripheral side of the movable part so as to face the coil. The lens holding device includes a support part which supports the movable part so as to move relatively and a spring which connects the movable part and the support part resiliently. The magnet part includes a resin and has an alignment part which positions the spring.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a vibrator configured to generate a vibration, a relatively movable member configured to be movable by the vibrator, wherein the relatively movable member is movable relatively according to the vibration of the vibrator, a holding unit configured to hold the vibrator, wherein the holding unit includes a first holding member configured to hold the vibrator and a second holding member; and a damping member provided between the vibrator and the second holding member and configured to reduce a vibration transmitted to the second holding member, a pressure unit configured to press the vibrator against the relatively movable member, wherein the second holding member is configured to press the vibrator against the relatively movable member, and wherein the first holding member is made of a material having a higher damping capability against the vibrator than a material of the second holding member.

Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a base made of plastic or resin, a stator, a moving and a shell. The base includes a mounting surface, assembling surfaces, and protrusions extending from at least one of the assembling surfaces. The stator includes a rack and magnets. The rack is mounted to the mounting surface. The moving unit received in the rack. The shell includes a top plate and side plates extending from the top plate. The shell defines at least one slot. Each slot is positioned at a joint between two neighboring side plates. At least one side plate defines mounting holes. The base, the moving unit, and the stator are accommodated in the shell. Each protrusion passes through a mounting hole and is heated to form a head portion. The head portion is positioned outside the shell and has an outer diameter greater than a diameter of each mounting hole.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of contacts that include different portions angled with respect to one another and methods of manufacturing devices that include such contacts. In some embodiments, a module may include a first portion of a contact that is disposed within a housing and a second portion that is disposed outside of the housing, with the second portion angled with respect to the first portion. Manufacturing such devices may include depositing a conductive material to electrically connect the contact to a contact pad of a substrate. In some embodiments, a deposition process for depositing the conductive material may have a minimum dimension, which defines a minimum dimension of a conductive material once deposited. In some such embodiments, a distance between a terminal end of the contact pin and the contact pad may be greater than the minimum dimension of the deposition process.

Abstract: A voice coil motor (VCM) is disclosed, the VCM including: a rotor including a bobbin accommodated by a lens, and a coil block arranged at a periphery of the bobbin, a base formed with an opening for exposing a lens and a first foreign object penetration prevention unit formed along an upper edge, a stator including magnets wrapping the coil block and a housing formed with an opening for fixing the magnets and formed at a bottom surface with lateral surfaces formed with a second foreign object penetration prevention unit coupled to the first foreign object prevention unit, and an elastic member coupled to the bobbin to elastically support the bobbin.

Abstract: A linear ultrasonic motor includes a vibrator having a piezoelectric element, a movable part applying a pressurization force to the vibrator and bringing the vibrator into pressurized contact with a base part, a cover part being fixed to the base part, a rolling part being rollably held between a movable guide part of the movable part and a cover guide part of the cover part, and a body to be driven having a transmission member that is pivotably supported and being able to move only in the movable direction. The transmission member includes a bias part that abuts on a transmission part of the movable part and applies a biasing force of biasing the movable part to the rolling part, to the transmission part. The rolling part is held by a resultant force of the pressurization force or a reaction force of the pressurization force, and the biasing force.

Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a housing, a deformable lens, and a lens shaper. The lens shaper defines the shape of the deformable lens. A first mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. A second mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. The second mechanism is at least one of an electromechanical actuator or motor. The first mechanism and the second mechanism are different types of mechanisms.

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: Provided is a lens barrel including a fourth lens group that holds a fourth lens, a second lens group that holds a second lens and is disposed closer to an object than the fourth lens group, and a drive source that drives the fourth lens group in a direction along the optical axis. The fourth lens has a notch around a portion of an outer periphery thereof. The drive source is provided in the notch.

Abstract: A VCM (voice coil motor) is disclosed, the VCM including: a rotor including a lens-accommodating, both ends opened cylindrical bobbin and a coil block including a coil wound on a periphery of the bobbin; a stator including a cylindrical yoke formed with a lens-exposing opening, a plurality of magnets disposed inside the yoke and opposite to the coil block, and a magnet fixing member disposed inside the yoke to fix the plurality of magnets; and an elastic member elastically supporting the bobbin.

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: 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: An electromagnetic driving device defined with an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis includes a casing, a base, a driven object, an anti-tilt mechanism and an electromagnetic driving module. The electromagnetic driving module includes at least one magnetic member and at least one coil. The base connects to the casing so as to form an inner compartment thereinside. The driven object is received and movable along the Z axis inside the inner compartment. The magnetic member fixed to the driven object can be driven by magnetic forcing generated by the respective coil fixed to the casing. With the anti-tilt mechanism to provide lateral pressing forcing to eliminate possible gap between components connecting the driven object and the casing while the driven object is moved along the Z axis inside the inner compartment, possible dynamic tilt of the moving driven object can then be diminished.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes an oscillatory wave motor which drives a lens; a manual connection ring which is operated manually to cause the lens to move along an optical axis; a slip ring which is in contact with the manual connection ring; a roller which is in contact with the slip ring and with the oscillatory wave motor; and a roller support ring which supports the roller. The slip ring is structured such that frictional resistance on a contact surface between the manual connection ring and the slip ring is smaller than frictional resistance on a contact surface between the roller and the slip ring.

Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a linear vibration actuator and a lens ring. The linear vibration actuator includes a vibrating element, relative motion member and pressurizing mechanism. The vibrating element generates a driving force at a driving face in parallel with an optical axis by oscillation of an electromechanical conversion element. The relative motion member is in pressure contact with the driving face and linearly moves in parallel with the optical axis with respect to the vibrating element. The pressurizing mechanism applies a pressure force between the driving face and the relative motion member. The lens ring holds a photographic lens and is linearly moved by the relative motion member in parallel with the optical axis. The linear vibration actuator includes a first linear guide receiving the pressure force applied to the relative motion member, and the lens ring includes a second linear guide guiding the lens ring to linearly move.

Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit, and a drive unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens element and a first lens support frame supporting the first lens element. The second lens unit includes a second lens element and a second lens support frame supporting the second lens element. The second lens unit is supported by the first lens unit to be movable in the optical axis direction of the first lens element with respect to the first lens unit. The drive unit is arranged to be used to drive the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit, and is fixed to the first lens unit. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the drive unit is fixed to the first lens unit so that a first profile line formed by the first lens unit and the drive unit is substantially circular.

Abstract: This invention provides an actuator, comprising: a supporting frame having a movable element accommodation space; a movable element received by the movable element accommodation space of the supporting frame, at least one elastic element accommodation space and at least one electrically-driven element accommodation space being arranged in proximity to each other around the exterior thereof; an electrically-driven element received by the at least one electrically-driven element accommodation space and configured to cause the movable element to move with respect to at least one axis; and an elastic element configured to provide an elastic force with respect to at least one axis, wherein the elastic element is received by the at least one elastic element accommodation space and able to perform a sliding function with the at least one elastic element accommodation space.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for the production and/or adjustment of an optical arrangement of a projection illumination system, in which at least one actuator is used to set the position of at least one optical element to be manipulated by moving the optical element incrementally with a specific increment size. The increment size of the movement increments is set as a function of the distance of the optical element from the desired position, with the distance being represented by a distance value. If the distance value is above a first threshold value, a substantially constant increment size is set, while the specific increment size decreases as the distance from the desired position decreases if the distance value is below the first threshold value. Alternatively or additionally, a pre-specified deviation from the specific increment size and/or from a pre-specified increment size change rate results in a warning signal and/or ceasing of the movement.

Abstract: A VCM (voice coil motor) is disclosed, the VCM including: a rotor including a cylindrical bobbin for accommodating a lens and protruded at a bottom end with a boss, and a coil block arranged at a periphery of the bobbin; a stator including a magnet facing the coil block and a yoke fixing the magnet; and an elastic member including a first elastic member formed with a through hole coupled to the boss of the bobbin and a second elastic member coupled to an upper end facing the bottom end of the bobbin; wherein the boss is formed with a disengagement prevention unit preventing the first elastic member from being disengaged from the boss, and the first elastic member is formed with a coupling unit contacting a joint where the disengagement prevention unit and the coupling unit meet.

Abstract: A lens actuating device includes a fixed member, an adjustable member, a driving unit and a movable support unit. The adjustable member is movably disposed in the fixed member along an optical axis, and has a lens module disposed therein. The driving unit is disposed between the fixed member and the adjustable member to provide a driving force for the adjustable member. The movable support unit is disposed at one side of the adjustable member opposite to the driving unit and has a first guiding structure formed on an inner side of the fixed member parallel to the optical axis, a second guiding structure, and a plurality of rolling members. The rolling members are configured into two rows and are disposed between the first and second guiding structures to fix the seconding guiding structure such that the displacement of the adjustable member is constrained along the optical axis.

Abstract: To reduce the length of the lens barrel, a vibration actuator has a vibrating element, a rotor, a pressing portion, a rotor holder that restricts a position of the rotor in the thrust and radial direction, and a bearing of which a rotation axis is coaxial with the axis of the vibrating element. The rotor holder includes an outer flange to receive the pressure force from the rotor portion, and an inner flange to serve as a first track face of the bearing.

Abstract: A driving mechanism includes a first piezoelectric element and a first driving member that is driven by the first piezoelectric element and that vibrates in a first direction. The first driving member includes a second piezoelectric element and a second driving member that is driven by the second piezoelectric element and that vibrates in a second direction different from the first direction. A difference between the vibration resonance frequency of the first driving member and the vibration resonance frequency of the second driving member is equal to or less than the half-width at a half maximum of a function representing an amplitude frequency characteristic in the vibration of the first driving member.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus includes a laser welding unit including a first lens adapted to focus a laser beam; a second lens adapted to diffuse the laser beam to the first lens; and a third lens adapted to guide the laser beam to the second lens. The relative positions of the first lens, the second lens, and the third lens, are adjusted to adjust a diffusion angle and a beam width of the laser beam entering the first lens. The laser welding apparatus performs: actuating the laser welding unit to travel at a predetermined speed along a predetermined trajectory; directing the laser beam at a first welding spot; adjusting the focal length to focus the laser beam at the first welding spot; holding the laser focal spot size substantially constant; and directing the laser beam at a second welding spot after completion of welding for the first welding spot.

Abstract: A voice coil motor (VCM) is disclosed, the VCM including: a stator including a magnet generating a first electromagnetic field; a mover including a bobbin formed with a hollow hole through which light passes and a coil formed on a periphery of the bobbin that generates a second electromagnetic field responsive to the first electromagnetic field; a base fixed at the stator and formed with an opening through which the light passes; and at least one elastic member elastically supporting the bobbin and forming a gap between the bobbin and the base when the coil is not applied with a current.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first deformable lens having a membrane with a deformable portion. A sensor is configured to receive the light focused by the first deformable lens. An optical path extends through the first deformable lens and to the sensor. The first deformable lens is tuned according to an applied electrical signal in order to directly focus light traversing the optical path onto the sensor. A first volume of a first optical media and a second volume of a second optical media are defined at least in part by the deformable portion of the membrane. The first volume and the second volume are completely enclosed by the housing. The first volume and the second volume remain substantially constant for all configurations of the first deformable lens.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes: a first piezoelectric device between a base member and a moving member, and that is capable of being expanded and contracted in a direction in which the first piezoelectric device intersects with a first face that opposes the moving member of the base member; a second piezoelectric device between the first piezoelectric device and the moving member, and that is capable of being expanded and contracted in a direction different from the intersecting direction; a transfer member between the first piezoelectric device and the moving member that includes a through hole piercing through in the intersecting direction, receiving amounts of expansion and contraction of the first piezoelectric device and the second piezoelectric device to transfer a driving force to the moving member; and a supporting member that pierces through the through hole, and that can support the moving member.

Abstract: An artificial muscle structure has an electro-active polymer (EAP) layer having a frusto-conical shape and whose tip has an opening formed therein for use as a camera variable aperture. First, second and third electrode segments are formed on a rear face of the EAP layer. The second segment is positioned in a gap between the first and third segments so as to be electrically isolated from the first and third segments. The second segment has an opening formed therein that is aligned with the opening in the EAP layer. A complementary electrode is formed on a front face of the EAP layer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a driving device having a rod-like terminal capable of stably fixing an SMA and connecting a conductive member without preventing the size of the driving device from being reduced and affecting the performance of the SMA. Also provided is an imaging device. The driving device is equipped with a string-shaped shape-memory alloy as a driving source and includes: a base member serving as the base of the driving device; and the rod-like terminal made of a metal penetrating the base member and secured to the base member. One end side of the rod-like terminal is caulked to interpose and hold the shape-memory alloy, and the other end side of the rod-like terminal has a crimp portion where the conductive member for supplying current to the shape-memory alloy is crimped and fixed.

Abstract: A driving mechanism includes a first piezoelectric element that vibrates in a thickness-shear vibration mode in a first direction, a first member that is driven to vibrate in the first direction by the first piezoelectric element, a second piezoelectric element that is supported by the first member and that vibrates in the thickness-shear vibration mode in a second direction, and a second member that is driven to vibrate in the second direction by the second piezoelectric element.

Abstract: 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: An environment viewing enabling system for enabling viewing of an environment through a partition. The system enables clear and magnified viewing of the environment therethrough at controllably moveable locations thereof about the partition. The system may constitute a single hand-held exterior housing, for convenience of maneuverability and viewing. The system may include the exterior housing and an interior housing, one of which may be comprised of magnetic material, while the other is comprised of a metallic material, enabling magnetic attraction between the housings. The interior housing may be buoyant, enabling it to float to the top of a liquid environment if it becomes separated during use. The interior housing may include a lens, for enabling a longer field of view of the specimens within the environment. The system may include lighting, for illuminating the specimens within the environment.

Abstract: A lens barrel is configured to adjust a position of an adjusted lens in the direction of an optical axis with respect to another lens. The lens barrel includes a lens frame configured to retain the adjustment lens and a base frame configured to adjustably retain the lens frame. The lens frame includes a first adjustment stepped surface including a plurality of adjustment surfaces that are adjacently disposed in the direction of rotation of the lens frame and are provided with different heights, and a second adjustment stepped surface. The second adjustment stepped surface is disposed at a position exhibiting a 180 degree rotational phase from the position of the first adjustment stepped surface. The base frame includes a support surface configured to abut with the first adjustment stepped surface and the second adjustment stepped surface.

Abstract: A miniature lens auto-focusing structure includes a housing having a top plate; a base plate connectable to the housing to define an inner space between them; a lens module wound around by a coil; and at least one spring member holding and suspending the lens module in the inner space without causing the lens module to contact with the top plate and the base plate. With these arrangements, the spring member is not in a pre-tensioning state when the miniature lens auto-focusing structure is in a non-actuated state. Therefore, the miniature lens auto-focusing structure requires less actuating current and has smaller lens tilt angle than the conventional VCM auto-focusing structure, and can be manufactured at further reduced component cost.

Abstract: An electromagnetic driving device defined with an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis includes a casing, a frame, a driven object (e.g., a lens module), an anti-tilt mechanism and an electromagnetic driving module. The electromagnetic driving module includes at least one magnetic member, a coil and a circuit board. The frame connects to the casing so as to form an inner compartment therein. The driven object is received and movable along the Z axis inside the inner compartment. One of the magnetic member and the coil is fixed to the driven object while another thereof is fixed to the frame in such a corresponding manner that, when the coil is powered via the circuit board, the driven object would be moved linearly. By means of the anti-tilt mechanism, possible kinetic tilt caused by movements of the driven object upon when the driven object is driven to move along the Z axis can then be eliminated.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an imaging device including an epoxy reservoir and a number of features to facilitate alignment of components during assembly of the imaging device.

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: Electromagnetic actuators for digital cameras, in particular miniature cell-phone and tablet cameras, include an electromagnet with a first elongated ferromagnetic member surrounded coaxially in part by a conductive coil along a first longitudinal axis, and a elongated second ferromagnetic member with a second longitudinal axis. The first and second ferromagnetic members have respective first and second operative surfaces and are aligned such that their longitudinal axes are parallel and such that respective operative surfaces overlap each other across a gap. The two members are mechanically coupled to respective frames. A frame hinge connects the frames and enables a relative tilt motion between the ferromagnetic members when current passes through the coil. The tilt motion is convertible into a linear displacement along an optical axis of an optical element coupled to the actuator. Two actuators can be combined into an assembly capable of providing double-axis tilt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple and compact lens driving device with a shake suppression function. In a VCM lens driving device 10, the driving coil 15 mounted on the outer circumference of the lens holder 11 includes a first through third coils 15a-15c, and the permanent magnet 16 mounted on the casing 13 and opposite to the driving coil 15 with spacing includes a first through fourth magnets 161-164. The first magnet 161 and the second magnet 162 are facing the first coil 15a at the middle of the lens holder 11; the third magnet 163 is facing the first coil 15a and the second coil 15b at the imaged-object side of the first coil 15a; the fourth magnet 164 is facing the first coil 15a and the third coil 15c at the opposite side to the imaged-object side of the first coil 15a.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) lens actuator having a support frame including a stationary outer portion surrounding an inner receiving portion. A piezoelectric drive member is positioned within the inner receiving portion and attached to the stationary outer portion. A first movable lens support member and a second movable lens support member are frictionally engaged with opposing ends of the piezoelectric drive member at a contact point along each of the opposing ends using a preload force at the contact point. The piezoelectric drive member may have a first actuation mode which drives movement of the first movable lens support member and the second movable lens support member in a same direction and a second actuation mode which drives movement of the first movable lens support member and the second movable lens support member in different directions.

Abstract: A driver circuit for a camera voice coil motor (VCM) is described. A first power switch selectively conducts current from a VCM node to a power supply node, and a second power switch selectively conducts current from the VCM node to a power return node. A pulse width modulation circuit controls the first and second power switches. In another embodiment, a switch mode current control circuit sources VCM current alternately from the power supply node and the power return node, into the VCM node. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a lens holder that holds a lens, a driving portion that drives the lens holder through a magnetic force produced using a coil and a magnet, and a guide shaft that supports the lens holder movably. When moving the lens holder to a target position, an AC voltage is applied to the coil over a specific interval from a beginning of movement of the lens holder. Further, an amplitude of the AC voltage is reduced stepwise with the passage of time.

Abstract: A lens holder driving device includes a lens holder in which a lens assembly is mounted, a driving coil fixed to the lens holder at outside circumference thereof, an outer yoke including an outer hollow cylindrical portion and an ring-shaped end portion disposed an upper end of the outer hollow cylindrical portion, a magnet disposed to an inner wall surface of the outer hollow cylindrical portion so as to be opposite to the driving coil, an elastic member supporting the lens holder in a direction of an optical axis shiftably, and a base disposed at a lower side of the lens holder. The lens holder driving device includes a contact area reduction arrangement reducing a contact area between the ring-shaped end portion of the outer yoke and an upper end portion of the lens holder.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) autofocus actuator having a support member for supporting a lens element, the support member including a stationary portion and a movable portion, the movable portion attached to the stationary portion by a movable support beam. An electrostatic drive member is attached to the stationary portion and the movable portion to drive movement of the movable portion with respect to the stationary portion. A lens holder is suspended within the support member by a resilient arm member attached to the movable portion and a deflection beam attached to the stationary portion so that in a non-actuated state, the lens element is in a first focal position that is substantially out-of-plane with respect to the stationary portion, and in an actuated state, the lens element is in a second focal position, the second focal position being different from the first focal position.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation motor includes a fastening unit and a moving unit. The fastening unit includes a fixing frame and a first magnet assembly. The fixing frame includes a lower plate and four guiding poles extending upward from corners of the lower plate. The first magnet assembly includes four first magnets supported on the lower plate. Each first magnet is positioned between two adjacent guiding poles. The moving unit includes a moving frame and a second magnet assembly. The moving frame includes an outer surface and defines a receiving recess on the outer surface. The second magnet assembly includes four second magnets received in the receiving recess. The first magnets are positioned above the second magnets along an optical axis of the magnetic levitation motor.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a base member, a movable member that is disposed at the base member and moves in a plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis, a first driving portion that moves the movable member in a direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis in accordance with image shake, a lens frame that is mounted to the movable member and moves in a direction of the optical axis, a second driving portion that moves the lens frame in the direction of the optical axis and includes a first magnet that is secured to the movable member and a first coil that is secured to the lens frame, and a Hall element that is disposed so as to oppose the first magnet in the direction of the optical axis and detects a change in a magnetic field of the first magnet.

Abstract: A camera module including a housing; a lens barrel having a lens and reciprocating in the housing; a magnetic member coupled with the lens barrel; an electromagnetic member coupled with the housing and generating a magnetic field so that the lens barrel moves along an optical axis; and a Hall sensor in the housing and detecting a change in magnetic field according to a position of the magnetic member before electric power is outputted to the electromagnetic member. A control unit sets a current position of the magnetic member as a first target position, setting an initial position for driving auto focusing as a second target position, aligning the lens barrel to the first target position by controlling electric power supplied to the electromagnetic member, and then moving the lens barrel to the second target position by supplying electric power to the electromagnetic member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes: a plurality of first piezoelectric elements; a first member that is interposed between the plurality of first piezoelectric elements and that is driven in a first direction by the plurality of first piezoelectric elements; a second piezoelectric element that is disposed on the first member; and a second member that is disposed in contact with the second piezoelectric element and that is driven in a second direction intersecting the first direction by the second piezoelectric element.