Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lens mechanism including: a base; a guide member fixed to the base; a lens holding member adapted to hold the lens and which is held by the guide member in such a manner as to move straight along the optical axis; a rotary member adapted to rotate while at the same time engaging with part of the lens holding member so as to cause the lens holding member to move straight along the optical axis; and polymer actuator elements each of which has one end fixed to the base or guide member and the other end engaging with part of the rotary member so as to rotate the rotary member in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis.

Abstract: There is provided a lens actuator, including: a lens barrel in which at least one lens is provided on an optical axis; a magnetic part provided on one surface of the lens barrel; and a printed circuit board in which a coil pattern part generating electromagnetic force is provided, the printed circuit board having one surface facing the magnetic part, wherein magnetic material is provided on the other surface of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes: a plurality of first piezoelectric elements; a first member that is interposed between opposing faces of the plurality of the first piezoelectric elements and that is driven in a first direction by the plurality of the first piezoelectric elements; a second piezoelectric element that is disposed in the first member; 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; and a third member that comes in contact with the second member and that is moved relative to the first member by driving the second member.

Abstract: A motor for driving a lens is disclosed, wherein a yoke comprises a rotation prevention unit configured to prevent the bobbin from rotating.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) lens actuator having a support fame 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 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: A lens driving device comprises a lens holder for holding a lens, a shaft for supporting the lens holder so as to make the lens holder movable in an optical axis direction of the lens and swingable about an axis of the shaft, an actuator for applying a driving force to the lens holder so as to move the lens holder in the optical axis direction; and an urging member for applying an urging force to the lens holder so as to rotate the lens holder toward the actuator. In the lens holder, a position where the urging force is applied by the urging member and a position where the driving force is applied by the actuator oppose each other, so that the urging force from the urging member is directed to the actuator.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator comprises a first piezoelectric element, a second piezoelectric element, a first set of a first member that is mounted with the first piezoelectric element which is deformed in a first direction with an application of a first voltage, and a second set of a second member that is mounted with the second piezoelectric element which is deformed in the opposite direction of the first direction with the application of the first voltage.

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 lens actuator includes a carrier that is configured to retain a lens; a first AF coil that is disposed in the carrier while wound about an axis perpendicular to a lens retaining surface; first to fourth magnets that are disposed opposite the first AF coil in four directions parallel to the lens retaining surface; a first OIS coil that is disposed opposite the first magnet; and a second OIS coil that is disposed opposite the second magnet. A current is passed through the first AF coil to move the carrier in a vertical direction along an axis. The currents are passed through the first and second OIS coils to a movable unit in front-back and left-right directions. Therefore, weight reduction of the movable unit can be achieved to provide a lens actuator, in which electric power saving can be achieved.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes a base, a motor, a drive gear, and a rotary frame. The motor is fixed to the base and produces a driving force. The drive gear is coupled to the base and configured to transmit the driving force. The rotary frame has a substantially cylindrical shape and a gear component disposed on at least part of its inner peripheral surface. The gear component meshes with the drive gear so that during rotation of the drive gear the rotary frame rotates, via the driving force, relative to the base component and advances and retracts along a rotational axis of the lens barrel. The length of the drive gear is greater than the length of the gear component, and as the rotary frame and the gear component advance and retract, the gear component remains within a range of opposing ends of the drive gear.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor for driving lenses. The motor includes a case, a yoke fixed in the case, a magnet fixed in the yoke, a carrier equipped with lenses and installed in the magnet such that the carrier moves up and down within the magnet, a coil coupled with the carrier, a spring unit including first and second springs having arc shapes and being separated from each other while forming a ring shape as a whole, a spacer supporting an outer peripheral surface of the spring unit, and a terminal provided on the spacer, in which one side of the terminal protrudes downward by passing through a bottom of the case to make connection with the spring unit and a main PCB of a product.

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: A piezoelectric actuator includes: a plurality of first piezoelectric elements; a first member that is interposed between opposing faces of the plurality of the first piezoelectric elements and that is driven in a first direction by the plurality of the first piezoelectric elements; a second piezoelectric element that is disposed in the first member; 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; and a third member that comes in contact with the second member and that is moved relative to the first member by driving the second member.

Abstract: A compact camera module has an EMI housing configured to shield camera module components from electromagnetic interference and having defined therein a focus-adjustment aperture to permit an optical train to extend to at one end of an auto-focus range, and a light leak baffle partially overlaps the focus-adjustment aperture along the optical path outside the auto-focus range.

Abstract: An adaptive lens system for laser materials processing, for example, in the high-power range of at least approximately 1 kW, includes two deformable lens surfaces spaced apart from each other in the direction of the optical axis, a chamber formed between the two lens surfaces and filled with a fluid, and a device for changing the distance between the two lens surfaces along the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel of the present invention is provided with an electric section having a plurality of sliding portions that slide along the predetermined conductor pattern. The electric section is provided with a thin-sheet electric section body supporting the plurality of sliding portions, and a reinforcing portion is provided at the electric section body. Therefore, in the lens barrel 1, the reinforcing portion increases the deformation resistance of the electric section body that supports the sliding portions.

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: A permanent magnet electric motor includes a rotor and a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor. The rotor includes a shaft, a rotor core fixed to the shaft and having n teeth, n being an integer, a commutator fixed to the shaft adjacent the rotor core and having m segments, m being an even number less than n. Rotor windings are wound about the teeth and connected to the segments. The stator includes a plurality of permanent magnets surrounding the rotor core and brushes in sliding electrical contact with the commutator.

Abstract: A first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with an image sensor, a holder member mounted on the PCB, a lens module directly mounted inside the holder member, an actuator arranged at an inside of the holder member, and an electronic circuit pattern formed on a surface of the holder member to conductibly connect the PCB and the actuator, where one end of the electronic circuit pattern is connected to the PCB, and the other end of the electronic circuit pattern is connected to the actuator.

Abstract: A camera alignment system that can enable alignment in at least one of three planes and about an axis of at least one of the planes. An alignment mount can mate to a camera and lens. The alignment mount can comprise a mechanism to adjust the camera relative to the lens to that an image plane of the camera aligns with an image plane of the lens in a predetermined orientation. One predetermined orientation can be that the image plane of the camera being parallel to the image plane of the lens.

Abstract: A VCM (voice coil motor) is disclosed, the VCM including: a rotor including a lens-fixing hollow holed bobbin including a coil discharge unit formed from a peripheral upper end to a peripheral bottom end facing the peripheral upper end, and a coil block arranged at a periphery of the bobbin and including a cylindrically wound coil; a stator including a magnet facing the coil block and a yoke fixing the magnet; a case including a bottom case arrange with the bobbin and an upper case coupled to the bottom case and having an opening at a portion corresponding the bobbin; and an elastic member elastically supporting an upper end of the bobbin and a bottom end facing the upper end of the bobbin, wherein a distal end of the coil arranged at an upper end of the coil block employs the coil discharge unit to be discharged to a bottom end of the bobbin.

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: A lens barrel includes a flexible printed circuit board, a moving unit, and a support frame. The moving unit is configured to support the flexible printed circuit board. The support frame is configured to allow the moving unit to move in an optical axis direction. The support frame is configured to house the moving unit. The support frame includes a guide groove for guiding the flexible printed circuit board. The moving unit includes a convex portion provided to its outer peripheral portion. At least part of the convex portion is disposed in the guide groove.

Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a stationary magnetic field generator with a receiving space, a moveable magnetic field generator received in the receiving space, a lens module, a base, and a lower elastic plate. The moveable magnetic field generator includes a lens retainer. The lens retainer defines a circular hole with internal threads. The lens module forms external threads threadedly engaging with the internal threads. An adhesive is coated between the external and internal threads. The stationary magnetic field generator is supported on the base. The base defines an opening in its center. The lower elastic plate is sandwiched between the base and the stationary magnetic field generator and defines a light passing hole. The lower elastic plate includes an elastic portion surrounding the light passing hole. A cross-sectional area of the elastic portion is less than a cross-sectional area of the opening.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a lens holder for holding a lens, a supporter portion for supporting the lens holder in a movable manner, a drive portion for driving the lens holder, and an elastic portion for supplying the lens holder with a force in a predetermined direction. The supporter portion includes a shaft engaging with a bearing of the lens holder, and the force in a predetermined direction includes a force in a direction perpendicular to the shaft and a force in a direction to rotate the lens holder about the shaft.

Abstract: A camera lens assembly includes: a lens holder unit to which a lens module is mounted; a wire member fixed to the lens holder unit and the lens module, and resiliently supporting the lens module such that the lens module is driven in an optical axis direction; and a fixing member mounted to the lens holder unit to fix the wire member and dampen an impact generated in the wire member due to an impact generated in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Also, a camera lens assembly can include: a wire module resiliently supporting a lens module such that the lens module is movable in an optical axis direction on a lens holder unit, dampening an impact generated in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and transferring a current applied to drive the lens module to a circuit board.

Abstract: Provided are a lens driving motor and an elastic member of the lens driving motor. The elastic member of a lens driving motor, the elastic member includes a first spring and a second spring. The second spring is different from the first spring and disposed together with the first spring on one side of a carrier to support the carrier. A first lead line of a coil and a first external power source are connected to the first spring, and a second lead line of the coil and a second external power source are connected to the second spring to supply power to the coil. Since the carrier can be assembled to other part after a (+) lead line and a (?) lead line of the coil are connected to the first and second springs, respectively, using solder, a process is simple and convenient.

Abstract: A motor for driving a lens is disclosed, wherein through holes through which a carrier passes are formed at an inner surface of a spring buried by an outer surface of the carrier, whereby the spring is not disengaged from the carrier to improve the reliability of the product.

Abstract: A vibration-type motor controller controls a driving speed of a vibration-type motor relatively moving a vibrating body in which a vibration is excited by an electromechanical energy conversion element 20 to which a first frequency signal and a second frequency signal having a phase difference are applied, and a contacting body which contacts the vibrating body. The vibration-type motor controller includes a speed controller 1 configured to alternately switch a frequency control which changes frequencies of the first and second frequency signals while fixing the phase difference and a phase difference control which changes the phase difference while fixing the frequency so that at least one of a plurality of frequency controls or a plurality of phase difference controls are included to increase and decrease the driving speed of the vibration-type motor.

Abstract: A system for guiding optical elements, in particular lenses, along an optical axis of a microscope, in particular a stereomicroscope, or of a macroscope, guide system including at least one guide rod which extends parallel to the optical axis and is at least partially made from a magnetizable material, and further including a carrier for the optical elements, the carrier being displaceable along the at least one guide rod and providing magnetic attraction between itself and at least one guide rod; for providing magnetic attraction, including at least one magnetizable wheel adapted to roll along the at least one guide rod while rotating about an axis as the carrier is displaced; the at least one guide rod (312, 314) being made of magnetizable material and/or the magnetizable wheel being at least in part permanently magnetic.

Abstract: An image blur correction apparatus includes: a fixed member; a first driven unit pivotally supported by the fixed member around a first support shaft extending in a direction parallel to an optical axis direction; a second driven unit holding a lens or an imaging device and pivotally supported by the first driven unit around a second support shaft extending in the direction parallel to the optical axis direction; a first actuator that pivots the first and second driven units around the first support shaft; and a second actuator that pivots the second driven unit around the second support shaft.

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

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image photographing device having a function for compensating hand vibration. The image photographing device having a function for compensating hand vibration includes: an optical unit; a magnet combined with an outer peripheral surface of the optical unit; a housing inserted with the optical unit and the magnet and having coils disposed at a position corresponding to the magnet; suspension wires arranged at four corners of the optical unit, having the upper end portions and the lower end portions each combined with the optical unit and the housing to support the optical unit in a state floated from the bottom surface of the housing, and having a predetermined bending part formed at any point; a flexible printed circuit board surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the housing and applying current to the coils; and a substrate having the image sensor mounted on the top surface thereof and combined with the lower portion of the housing.

Abstract: A camera module having an auto-focus apparatus comprises a piezoelectric actuator configured to generate a force for moving a driven member, a rod connected to the piezoelectric actuator and configured to transmit the force of the piezoelectric actuator to the driven member, a lens barrel having at least one lens, and a connecting member configured to use magnetic force to couple the rod and the lens barrel together.

Abstract: A device may comprise a flexure formed of a first semiconductor material. A first trench may be formed in the flexure. The first trench may separate the first semiconductor material into a first portion and a second portion thereof. An oxide layer may be formed in the first trench. The oxide layer may extend over a top portion of the first semiconductor material. A second semiconductor material may be formed on the oxide layer. The first trench and the oxide layer may cooperate to electrically isolate the first portion and the second portion from one another.

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

Abstract: A varifocal optical system includes a substantially circular membrane deposited on a substrate, and a ring-shaped PZT thin film deposited on the outer portion of the circular membrane. The membrane may be a MEMS-micromachined membrane, made of thermal oxide, polysilicon, ZrO2 and SiO2. The membrane is initially in a buckled state, and may function as a mirror or a lens. Application of an electric voltage between an inner and outer electrode on the piezoelectric thin film induces a lateral strain on the PZT thin film, thereby altering the curvature of the membrane, and thus its focal length. Focal length tuning speeds as high as 1 MHz have been demonstrated. Tuning ranges of several hundred microns have been attained. The varifocal optical system can be used in many applications that require rapid focal length tuning, such as optical switching, scanning confocal microscopy, and vibration compensation in optical storage disks.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a camera module including a fixture; a moving part centrally coupled with a lens and arranged to move relative to the fixture; three or more magnets arranged at a periphery of the moving part; and three or more coils arranged from an inner surface of the fixture to areas opposite to the three or more magnets, where each of the coils independently receives a control signal so that the moving part moves to a height direction and tilted relative to a central axis of the moving part, whereby a lens can be axially moved and tilted at the same time using arrangement of a single set of coils and magnets.

Abstract: A lens driver which moves at least one lens relative to a supporter includes a holder provided in the supporter to hold the lens to be movable in an optical axis direction, a driver configured to apply to the holder a driving force in the optical axis direction, and a position detector configured to detect a position of the holder in the optical axis direction relative to the supporter, and the lens driver including a coil provided in one of the holder and the supporter to form a straight electric path orthogonal to the optical axis direction, and a magnetic circuit provided in the other of the holder and the supporter, the magnetic circuit including a rectangular magnetic pole surface having a predetermined width to form a magnetic field orthogonal to the optical axis direction and the electric path, and being provided such that the magnetic pole surface faces the optical path.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera module in which a movement of a magnet is controlled by only magnetic force between the magnet and a yoke without a spring for controlling the movement of the magnet which operates up and down. The camera module includes: a lens module; and a main frame supporting the lens module and allowing the lens module to be driven in an optical axis direction, wherein the lens module includes: a lens assembly including a plurality of lenses; and a magnet fixed to one side of the lens module, and the main frame includes: a coil facing the magnet, fixed to one side within the main frame, and generating an electric field as power is applied thereto; and a yoke disposed to face the magnet with the main frame and the coil interposed therebetween and controlling driving of the lens module by attraction with the magnet.

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 comprises a lens portion having at least one lens (21), a first driving portion (39) to cause a movement of said lens portion relatively to a base portion (40) along a vertical direction of a light axis (L) of said lens portion, and a second driving portion (38) to cause a movement of said lens portion relatively to said base portion along said light axis.

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

Abstract: Systems and methods for camera modules having a movable lens barrel, allowing a maximum lens diameter with minimal outside dimensions are disclosed. At least one single linear actuator is moving the lens barrel. Each actuator is deployed in an own corner of the camera module. The moving lens barrel is guided by rolling elements bearings. The actuator comprises a stator, comprising one or more coils wrapped around a rod of magnetic metal and an anchor comprising one or more permanent magnets, which are tightly attached to the lens barrel. An offset between the longitudinal center line of magnets of the anchor and the center of the stator generates a permanent force pushing the lens barrel in direction of the stator of the motor and consequently pushes protrusions on the lens barrel onto the rolling elements bearings, thus preventing the bearings to fall apart in case of a mechanical shock.

Abstract: A focusing device for a beam projector including a casing, a body tube having at least one lens, the body tube being advanced or retracted in a direction of an optical axis in the casing, a movable member provided at a side of the body tube, the movable member moving in parallel with the direction of the optical axis, a bridge fixed to the body tube and coupled with the movable member to cover at least a part of the movable member, and a drive motor fixed in the casing and provided at a side of the body tube, in which the movable member linearly reciprocates as the drive motor operates, whereby the body tube is advanced or retracted.

Abstract: Provided are a lens drive device capable of moving with good accuracy a lens in the direction of an optical axis thereof, and a lens module and an image pickup device provided with such a lens drive device. By a pair of polymer actuator elements 441 and 442, a lens holding member 43 is driven via coupling members 451A, 451B, 452A, and 452B. As a result, a lens 48 can be moved with good accuracy in the direction of the optical axis Z1 thereof. In addition, preferably, the coupling members 451A, 451B, 452A, and 452B have the rigidity same as or lower than that of each of the polymer actuator elements 441 and 442.

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.