Abstract: A horological motor of the Lavet motor concept is used to form an actuator to control movement of a lens system to reduce power consumption in digital camera units used in various electronic equipment, e.g. PDA's, mobile phones, digital still cameras and camcorders, and as a result increase battery life. The coils of the horological motor are driven with CMOS I/O signals eliminating the need for high current motor drivers and allowing the integration of all picture capture functions, including the light sensitive pixel array, into a single chip to form a system on chip implementation. A plurality of actuators is used to control a lens system comprising auto focus, zoom and shutter and iris functions. A gear transmission system is used to allow the motor of the actuator to move in micro step, which allows calibration of the motor against mechanical barriers.

Abstract: A focus detection method includes moving a focusing lens group from the near extremity toward the far extremity in a search operation, and stopping the focusing lens group upon first detecting an in-focus state to determine an in-focus position of the focusing lens group when detecting a focus state in each of a plurality of focus detection areas while performing the search operation, and moving the focusing lens group firstly to one of the near extremity and the far extremity which is closer to a current position of the focusing lens group and subsequently toward the other thereof, and stopping the focusing lens group upon first detecting an in-focus state to determine an in-focus position of the focusing lens group when detecting a focus state in the single focus detection area while performing the search operation.

Abstract: A motor structure with a built-in lens includes a motor (30), and a lens unit (50) received in the motor and driven by the motor to telescopically move along an axial thereof. An internal thread (344) is formed on an inner surface of the motor. The lens unit includes an upper portion (51) and a lower portion (54). An external thread (544) is formed on an outer surface of the lower portion of the lens unit to threadedly engage with the internal thread of the motor. A dust cover (70) is arranged on the upper portion of the lens unit and defines an opening (71) for the upper portion of the lens unit to move therethrough. The lower portion of the lens unit is limited in the cover so that the external thread is prevented from being exposed to the environment during movement of the lens unit.

Abstract: An electric dust-proof device includes a base seat, a driving mechanism, and a dust-proof cover. The driving mechanism is disposed on the base seat, and includes a power unit, and a drive unit. The drive unit includes a sliding seat driven by the power unit, a pair of first and second pushing portions disposed on the sliding seat and spaced apart from each other, and a guiding assembly for guiding reciprocal movement of the sliding seat along a direction. The dust-proof cover is disposed pivotally on the base seat, and has an engaging portion disposed between the first and second pushing portions, and a cover plate portion connected to the engaging portion. The first and second pushing portions cooperate to move the dust-proof cover between an open position and a close position as a result of the reciprocal movement of the sliding seat.

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.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises: (i) an actuator comprising: an electro-mechanical conversion element; a driving member which is connected to one end of the electro-mechanical conversion element and moves in accordance with elongation or contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; and a weight member provided on the other end of the electro-mechanical conversion element; and (ii) a driven member frictionally engaged with the driving member, wherein the actuator allows the driven member to move along the driving member, and the weight member comprises a member which reduces a resonance frequency of the actuator.

Abstract: A lens driving device has first and second driving units for moving first and second lens holders supporting first and second sets of lens elements in an optical axis direction, respectively. The first and second driving units each have a motor, a gear fitted around an output shaft of the motor, a lead screw rotated by the gear, and a nut fitted around the lead screw. The output shafts of the first and second motors overlap each other in their axial direction. The first and second driving units move the first and second lens holders in the optical axis direction via the respective nuts moving in the optical axis direction. An image pickup plane side end face of the motor of the first driving unit is positioned more to the image pickup plane side than a position most to the subject side of the second lens holder is.

Abstract: By regulating movement of first and second arms 231A and 241A only in an optical axis direction using guide members EN1 and EN2, magnetic forces received from a first magnet 243A and a second magnet 233A which expand horizontally with respect to the optical axis can be stably detected by using a first sensor 2341A held in a first arm and a second sensor 2441A held by a second arm.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; a stage member provided on the stationary support plate so as to move on a reference plane parallel with the stationary support plate; Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices secured to one of the stationary support plate and the stage member; and Y-direction moving coils secured to the other of the stationary support plate and the stage member, the Y-direction moving coils receiving magnetic flux from the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices so as to generate a driving force in a specific Y-direction between the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices and the Y-direction moving coils. The Y-direction moving coils are secured to the stage member so that the Y-direction moving coils at least partly overlap each other in an X-direction, which is parallel with the reference plane and perpendicular to the Y-direction, and do not overlap in the Y-direction.

Abstract: An auto-focusing lens of a camera includes a lens unit (11), a permanent magnet (12) being fixedly mounted around the lens unit to move with the lens unit, a first coil seat (15a) arranged on a first side of the magnet with a first winding (14a) wound thereon, and a second coil seat (15b) arranged on a second side opposite to the first side of the magnet with a second winding (14b) wound thereon. The first and second windings and the first and second coil seats are provided for establishing magnetic fields when electric currents are applied to the first and second windings. The magnetic fields interact with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to drive the lens unit into movement between its front focus point (A) and its rear focus point (B).

Abstract: A lens apparatus which can remove a backlash positively is provided. In the lens apparatus, a drive source is controlled so as to performing: moving a focus lens from a reference position toward one end of an optical lens stroke, and moving the focus lens toward the other end of the optical lens stroke. When the focus lens reaches the other end of the optical lens stroke, the drive source is controlled so as to perform moving the focus toward the reference position, and further, when a focus point position is determined to be between the reference position and the other end of the optical lens stroke as well as when it is detected that the focus lens reaches the reference position, the drive source is controlled so as to perform moving the focus lens from the reference position toward one end of the optical lens stroke by an amount to removal of a backlash, and moving the focus lens up to the focus point position.

Abstract: A two-step auto-focusing camera includes a lens unit (12); a permanent magnet (124) being fixedly mounted around the lens unit to move with the lens unit; first and second coil seats (14, 15) with first and second coils (145, 155) wound thereon being mounted around the lens unit at two opposite sides of the magnet. When electric currents are supplied to the first and second coils, one of the coil seats generates an attraction force to the lens unit, and the other coil seat generates a repulsion force to the lens unit. A flange (143, 153) extends outwardly from an outer periphery of each coil seat at an end near the magnet to limit the magnet to move between the flanges of the first and second coil seats during movement of the lens unit.

Abstract: A digital camera module (100) with a focusing function includes a holder, an image sensor package (30) and a wedge (60). The holder has several lens elements (16) received therein. The image sensor package is movably received in the holder. The wedge is inserted into the holder and resists the image sensor package so that when the wedge is pushed, the image sensor is caused to slide axially relative to the holder.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens includes an obtaining unit for obtaining first control information and second control information from the camera body, the first control information being an instruction to control the first drive unit (diaphragm), the second control information being an instruction to control the second drive unit (focus lens, etc), a storage unit for storing the obtained second control information, and a controller for controlling the first drive unit and the second drive unit based on the first and second control information obtained. The second control information (reservation control information) is an instruction to control the second drive unit when the obtaining unit receives the first control information after receiving the second control information.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises: (i) an actuator comprising: an electro-mechanical conversion element; a driving member which is connected to one end of the electro-mechanical conversion element and moves according to elongation or contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; and a weight member provided on the other end of the electro-mechanical conversion element; (ii) a driven member frictionally engaged with the driving member; and (iii) a driving circuit that drives the actuator, wherein the actuator allows the driven member to move along the driving member, and the driving circuit drives the electro-mechanical conversion element at a driving frequency f which gives f?21/2·f0 when resonance frequency of a 1-freedom system is f0 in which the electro-mechanical conversion element and the driving member are designated as a mass and the weight member is designated as a spring, and driving frequency of the electro-mechanical conversion element is f.

Abstract: A fluorescence microscopy sequencer comprises a fluid transport subsystem in which reagents are pumped through a series of multi-port valves to a mixer or one or more flow cells, or directly into the flow cell(s). The one or more multi-port valves can be mounted upon a fluids manifold having syringe tubes mounted on the opposite side. Mounted on a movable support, the manifold may be brought into and out of fluid communication with a storage block comprising the plurality of reagents. In another embodiment, the sequencer comprises a beamsplitter indexer that facilitates the quick and reliable switching of filter cubes through use of a stepper motor. In yet another embodiment, a motion control system is provided in which an inertial reference is interposed between and directly coupled to a first and second axis of control, thereby minimizing any low structural resonant frequencies and enabling high performance (high frequency response) motion control.

Abstract: A camera module includes an actuator body movably supporting a lens assembly along the direction of an optical axis of a lens, a sensor board on which an image pickup device is mounted, a base member disposed between the actuator body and the sensor board. The base member consists of one member which acts as an actuator base and a sensor base.

Abstract: An automatic focusing structure includes a holder (20), a barrel (10) and a piezoelectric actuator (30). The holder has a resistor (26) thereon. The barrel is slidably received in the holder. At least one lens element (12) received in the barrel, and an electrode (16) is located on an outer periphery wall of the barrel. The electrode slidably contacts the resistor. The actuator mounted under the barrel to move relative to the holder. When the barrel slides relative to the holder, the resistance value of the resistor is changed. Information from the resistor corresponds to a position information of the barrel, and the position information is feedback to the actuator so as to adjust the position of the barrel.

Abstract: A motor structure with a built-in lens includes a lens mount (10), a motor (30) received in the lens mount, and a lens unit (50) received in the lens mount and driven by the motor to telescopically move along an axial thereof. The motor includes a stator (32) and a rotor (34) being rotatably received in the stator. A narrow gap is defined between an inner surface of the stator and an outer surface of the rotor. A bearing layer (36) is filled in the gap of the motor to avoid swing of the rotor during rotation thereof. The lens unit threadedly engages with the rotor, whereby when the rotor rotates, the lens unit has a linearly telescopic movement relative to the lens mount.

Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. A body controller in the camera body performs control to transmit a timing signal and a drive information signal to the interchangeable lens. A lens controller in the interchangeable lens controls drive of a focus lens based on the drive information signal and the timing signal which are received from the camera body. The drive information signal includes information of a driving time which is a period from a start of driving the focus lens until an end of driving the focus lens.

Abstract: A region in a captured image is set as a signal detection region, and signals from an CMOS sensor of the rolling shutter exposure type are detected only in an exposure period corresponding to the signal detection region to produce an evaluated value, after which a focusing lens is moved to a focusing lens position for acquiring a next evaluated value. Since the signal detection region is a partial region in the captured image, a long detection quiescent time is kept between signal detection periods corresponding to every two horizontal synchronizing periods. By moving the focusing lens in the detection quiescent time, the evaluated value is acquired and the focusing lens is moved in each horizontal synchronizing period.

Abstract: An auto-focusing camera includes a lens mount (10), a lens unit (50) received in the lens mount, and a motor for driving the lens unit. The lens mount has a pair of connecting pins (22, 21) extending therethrough for electrically connecting to a printed circuit board arranged under the lens mount. The motor includes at least one coil seat (30, 40) with coil (35, 45) wound thereon, and a permanent magnet (55) being fixedly mounted around the lens unit to move with the lens unit. The at least one coil seat includes a pair of mounting pins (32, 43, 33, 41) for guiding two ends of the coils to be connected to the two connecting pins of the lens mount.

Abstract: An optical actuator is disclosed. The optical actuator includes a seat bearing the optical element, a yoke comprising an end, a suspension system comprising at least one spring sheet connecting the seat and the end, and a driving device moving the seat relative to the yoke. The spring sheet constrains the movement of the seat. The spring sheet includes an inner connecting portion connected to the seat, an outer connecting portion surrounding the inner connecting portion and connected to the end, and a spring structure disposed between the inner and outer connecting portions and connecting the inner and outer connecting portions.

Abstract: The built-in multidriver device for a camera zoom lens has an independent driver for each lens of a zoom lens kit, and each driver is integrated into the lens mount. A housing positions each independent driver accordingly. The driver devices each include coil stators, magnetic rotors, fixed solenoids, inner solenoid bases, and limited units. The coil stators are placed in the housing, and the magnetic rotors are connected to the fixed solenoids. The inner solenoid bases are connected to the fixed solenoids, and the inner solenoid bases are limited and turned by the limiting units. When the magnetic rotor is turned by the magnetic induction of the coil stators, the fixed solenoid turns in the inner solenoid base, and the inner solenoid base is limited by the limiting unit. The inner solenoid base is moved axially, and the lenses inside are driven to zoom independently.

Abstract: A digital camera is provided with a photographing lens, an image capturing element, which is configured to capture an optical image of an object formed by the photographing lens, a coarse movement control system configured to control a position of the photographing lens in a direction of an optical axis by a motor, and a fine movement control system configured to control a position of an image receiving area of the image capturing element in the direction of the optical axis is provided.

Abstract: A camera module including: a lens portion including at least one lens; an imaging element; a fixed portion; a first elastic body that is provided on a side opposite to the imaging element side with respect to the lens and couples the lens portion and the fixed portion; and a second elastic body that is provided on the imaging element side with respect to the lens and couples the lens portion and the fixed portion. The first elastic body and the second elastic body have the same shape. The first elastic body and the second elastic body are arranged so as to oppose each other while sharing a common central axis. The second elastic body is arranged so that so that the shape of the second elastic body is different from a shape of the first elastic body projected in the optical axis direction of the lens.

Abstract: A camera module includes a lens unit, a magnet mounted around the lens unit, a stator receiving the lens unit and the magnet therein and an elastic element. The stator includes a coil seat and a coil wound therearound. The coil establishes a magnetic field when an electric current is applied thereto. The magnetic field interacts with a magnetic field of the magnet to generate a magnetic force driving the lens unit into telescopic movement. The elastic element includes at least one rib which has a fixed end connected with the stator and an opposite movable end. The moveable end moves together with the lens unit with respect to the fixed end to generate an elastic force during the telescopic movement of the lens unit. The lens unit stops at a focal position when the magnetic force and the elastic force come to a balance.

Abstract: An auto-focus optical lens module is proposed, including a base body having a receiving space formed therein, a lens sleeve rotatably disposed in the receiving space, a lens screwed with the lens sleeve, and a piezoelectric element fixed in the base body for contacting and driving the lens sleeve to rotate, wherein the base body and the lens are respectively provided with a first and second guiding portions for slidably positioning, thereby driving the lens sleeve to rotate so as to enable the lens to focus. The auto-focus optical lens module has simplified elements and enhanced driving force.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes a pair of first parallel guide rods mounted to a stationary member extending in a first direction; a first moving stage supported by the first parallel guide rods to be movable in the first direction; a pair of second parallel guide rods mounted to the first moving stage extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a second moving stage which holds an image-stabilizing optical element and supported by the second parallel guide rods to be movable in the second direction; first and second biasing devices which bias the first and second moving stages in the first and second directions; first and second driving devices which drive the first and second moving stages in the first and second directions. The pair of first and second parallel guide rods lie in a common plane orthogonal to an optical axis.

Abstract: An auto focusing camera includes a square-shaped circuit board (11), a motor (100) arranged on the circuit board, and a lens unit (20) received in the motor. The circuit board forms contacts (114) on corners thereof. The motor includes a cuboid-shaped housing (18), a stator (12) mounted in the housing, and a rotor (14) being rotatably disposed in the stator. The stator includes a square-shaped base (123) forming connecting pins (139) in corners thereof, and a stator core (121) with coils (122) wound thereon. The coils have ends being electrically connected with the connecting pins of the base. The connecting pins are electrically connected with the contacts in the housing to electrically connect the ends of the coils to the circuit board.

Abstract: A two-stage lens driving device includes a lens holder, a guiding mechanism, and an electromagnetic actuating mechanism. The guiding mechanism is joined with the lens holder for guiding the lens holder moving along an axial direction. The electromagnetic actuating mechanism includes a magnetic induction member, a first coil member, and a second coil member. The magnetic induction member is mounted on and movable with the lens holder. The first and second coil members are respectively located at two tail ends of the magnetic induction member. The first coil member, the magnetic induction member, and the second coil member are arranged linearly parallel to the axial direction. A distance between the coil members is greater than a length of the magnetic induction member along the linear direction. By applying current to one of the coil members, the magnetic induction member is driven to move between the first and the second coil members.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes a first moving stage supported by a stationary member movable in a first direction in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis; a second moving stage holding an image-stabilizing optical element and supported by the first moving member to be movable in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction; and first and second driving devices which are supported by the stationary member and drive the first and second moving stages in the first and second directions, respectively. The second driving device includes a moving element which is moved in the second direction, and a linkage portion which associatively links the second moving stage and the moving element to each other in a manner to allow the second moving stage and the moving element to move relative to each other in the first direction.

Abstract: A lens position calculator is provided that determines a phase of a driving signal as a reference position of an imaging lens when an output value of a position detection sensor reaches a threshold value. The lens position calculator determines a position obtained by performing addition or subtraction on the reference position read out from a reference position storage as a judgment position, detects an output value of the position detection sensor at a timing in synchronization with the driving signal that drives a driver and at the judgment position, and judges whether the output value of the position detection sensor at the judgment position reaches the threshold value or not, so as to determine the reference position again.

Abstract: A miniaturized auto focus control apparatus for camera module includes: a sensor assembly having an image sensor mounted to a printed circuit board and an infrared filter provided on an upper portion of the image sensor; a lens housing to which a plurality of permanent magnets mounted to an upper portion of the sensor assembly are mounted; a coil mounted into the lens housing; a lens barrel to which a plurality of focus control lenses are mounted in the direction of an optical axis; a lens guide portion integrally provided in the lens housing and engaged on the outer side of the lens barrel to guide the lens barrel so that the lens barrel is moved linearly upward and downward in the direction of the optical axis according to electric fields of the coil and the permanent magnets.

Abstract: A focus controller configured to control focus of an optical element includes a focus state detector configured to detect a focus state based on a contrast value of an image formed by the optical element, and a driving mechanism that moves the optical element including a motor, a position sensor configured to detect a position of a rotor in the motor, and a driving controller configured to select, in accordance with the contrast value, first driving configured to switch an electrization to a coil in accordance with an output of the position senor, or second driving configured to switch the electrization to the coil in the motor in accordance with a determined time interval.

Abstract: A focus controller configured to control focus of an optical system that has a focus lens includes a switching circuit configured to select a first driver for the electrization to a coil of a motor in performing focus control using a first focus detector, and to select a second driver in an electrization to the coil of the motor in performing focus control using a second focus detector. The first driver is configured to switch an electrization to the coil in the motor according to an output of the position sensor. The second driver is configured to switch an electrization to the coil of the motor according to a determined time interval.

Abstract: An imaging pickup apparatus includes a lens module and a motor. The body includes a camera module configured for sensing an image. The motor is configured for driving the lens module to move in increments that are multiple steps of the motor. The multiplier used are “x” and “y” during an auto focus process. The image pickup apparatus includes a preset step number. Initially, the motor drives the lens module to move by increments of “x” steps. When the number of steps moved by the motor is greater than or equal to the preset step number, the motor drives the lens module to move by increment of “y” steps.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes an image capturing section, a microphone, a lens driving section, and a focus controlling section. The image capturing section generates image data based on a subject image via an imaging optical system. The microphone records speech outside the camera. The lens driving section includes a motor and a drive mechanism to drive the imaging optical system. The focus controlling section controls the lens driving section according to a focusing state of the subject image and makes different at least one of a continuous driving time of the lens driving section and a drive frequency of the motor during the recording with microphone and that during the non-recording.

Abstract: An electroactive lens driver comprises a voltage generator generating a high alternating current voltage signal for application to an electroactive lens in response to a low direct current voltage signal. The voltage generator does not include an inductor or a transformer.

Abstract: An auto-focusing camera includes a lens mount (10), a lens unit (31) and a motor. The lens unit includes a lens barrel (310) and a lens (312) received in the lens barrel. Tabs (34) and blocks (36) respectively extend outwardly from upper and lower end portions of the lens barrel. Each of the tabs forms an aslant guiding surface (342), which is declined outwardly along a top-to-bottom direction. The motor includes a magnet (32) which is forced to move over the guiding surfaces to be securely sandwiched between the tabs and the blocks. Upper and lower yokes (23a, 23b) are respectively arranged at the upper and lower sides of the magnet. Upper and lower coils (25a, 25b) respectively wind around the two yokes for establishing magnetic fields which interact with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to drive the lens unit into movement.

Abstract: An apparatus of auto-focusing is provided, including an outer holder, a wire set, a magnet set and an inner-holder. The magnet set is fixed at the corners inside the outer-holder. The inner-holder is a hollow cylinder surrounded by a coil. The wire set is connected to the top and the bottom ends of the outer-holder. The other end of the wire set is connected to the outer circumference of the inner-holder. Therefore, the inner-holder is a hanging moveable component, which can move vertically when the electrical current flows through the coil to achieve the object of auto-focusing.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving lens in a camera is disclosed, by which an auto-focusing and/or zooming function is supported using a piezoelectric element and by which an auto-focusing and/or zooming function can be supported with advantageous price, power consumption and device volume. The present invention includes a lens drive unit moving the lens in one direction according to a current direction, a control circuit unit switching the current direction to move the lens, and a control unit supplying a control signal for switching the current direction to the control circuit unit.

Abstract: An auto-focusing camera includes a stator (20), a rotor (30) rotatably disposed in the stator, and a lens unit (40) received in the rotor. The stator includes a stator core (23) and coils (25) winding on the stator core. The rotor is a permanent magnet (32) securely mounted around the lens unit. The lens unit forms three ears (414) at a bottom thereof, and a wave-shaped surface (220) is formed on a top of an inner, bottom flange (22) of the stator. The ears abut the wave-shaped surface. The ears of the lens unit move along the wave-shaped surface during rotation of the rotor and the lens mount, and thus the lens unit moves telescopically along an axial direction thereof.

Abstract: A lens assembly and method of adjusting a lens assembly using an electrically active polymer element. The assembly comprises a lens; a pixel array for receiving an image through said lens via an optical path; a moveable element for changing the optical properties of said optical path; and at least one electrically active polymer for changing volume in response to an applied voltage, said polymer being coupled to said moveable element such that changes in volume of said polymer causes movement of said moveable element.

Abstract: A camera module (100) includes a lens module (10) and an image sensor (20), wherein the lens module includes a barrel (12), a plurality of lenses (14) and at least one spacer between each two neighboring lenses. The barrel includes an inner wall (122), the lenses and the spacer both are received in the barrel; the image sensor is located on an imaging plane of the plurality of lenses. At least one through slot (18) is defined in at least one item selected from the group consisting of lenses, spacer, and between the lenses and spacer. At least one groove (124) is defined between the inner wall of the barrel and the group consisting of the lenses, spacer and the image sensor. The at least one through slot communicates with at least one groove.

Abstract: The presentation device 100 comprises a shuttle operation member 170 rotatable in the forward and reverse directions. The shuttle operation member 170 comprises a momentary mechanism, returning automatically to the neutral position when the user releases the hand. When a sub-microprocessor 360 inputs from the shuttle operation member 170 signals representing operating direction and operating angle, on the basis of these signals, it determines a zoom direction and zoom speed, and by giving an instruction to a lens control microprocessor 127 or a picture signal processor IC 300, performs optical zoom or digital zoom. By means of this correction, operability in zoom operations in the presentation device is improved.

Abstract: A piezoelectric-driving optical lens module is disclosed, including a lens body a piezoelectric actuator for providing a driving force, and a position sensor for detecting position variations. The lens body includes at least a hollow base body, a lens barrel exhibiting axial freedom of movement positioned inside the hollow base body, and a lens set disposed inside the lens barrel. The lens barrel is driven by a piezoelectric actuator to move the lens set along the optical axis to achieve the optical functions of zooming and focusing. The position sensor is configured to detect the axial position of the lens barrel with respect to the hollow base body, thereby providing a simple structure to improve on the drawbacks of prior techniques.

Abstract: A lens unit includes a lens barrel, an imaging system arranged therein; a movable part having a movable lens, moved in an optical axis with respect to the lens barrel; a linear actuator for moving the movable part in the optical axis direction; and a biasing plate spring having a holding section that holds the movable part, spring sections that can be resiliently deformed and bias the movable part in the optical axis direction, and attached sections that are attached to the lens barrel, the thickness direction of the plate spring coinciding with the optical axis, wherein the holding section of the biasing plate spring is formed into a circular arc; and at least a portion of the spring sections of the plate spring are formed into a shape extending in a direction substantially along the holding section on the outer peripheral side of the holding section.

Abstract: A two-step auto focus camera with two focal points includes a lens unit (20) and a permanent magnet (30) being fixedly mounted around the lens unit to move with the lens unit. Upper and lower coil seats (60a, 60b) are mounted around the lens unit and are arranged at upper and lower sides of the magnet, respectively. Upper and lower coils (50a, 50b) wind around the upper and lower coil seats, respectively. A circuit board (80) supplies a current to each of the coils, wherein the current to each coil has a plurality of square waves in one focusing time for the lens unit to move from one focal point to the other focal point.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectrically driven optical lens module. The piezoelectrically driven optical lens module includes at least a lens body, a guiding rod for providing an axial movement track, a piezoelectric element for providing driving force, and an elastic element for providing the piezoelectric element with pre-load, so as to allow the piezoelectric element to be in contact with the guiding rod. The lens body includes at least an enclosed hollow structure, a lens barrel axially moveable and fixed to the enclosed hollow structure, and a lens element fixed to the lens barrel. The piezoelectric element is in contact with the guiding rod via the elastic elements, and the piezoelectric element is used for driving the lens barrel to move linearly along the guiding rod. The present invention provides a piezoelectrically driven optical lens module with a simple structure, to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.