Patent ID: 8139291
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: G02B,G03B

Abstract:
1. An actuator for moving an imaging lens within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis thereof to prevent blurring of an image, comprising: a fixed portion; a movable portion attached to the imaging lens; a plurality of spherical bodies sandwiched between the movable portion and the fixed portion, supporting the movable portion such that it can be moved; a drive means for driving the movable portion with respect to the fixed portion, causing the movable portion to move rotationally and translationally; fixed portion drop prevention walls provided on the fixed portion so as to surround each of the spherical bodies and prevent the spherical bodies from dropping; fixed portion contact walls formed contiguously with these fixed portion drop prevention walls such that when the movable portion is moved to a predetermined locking position, the spherical bodies make contact therewith; movable portion drop prevention walls provided on the movable portion so as to surround each of the spherical bodies and prevent the spherical bodies from dropping; movable portion contact walls formed contiguously with the movable portion drop prevention walls such that the spherical bodies contact therewith when the movable portion is moved to the locking position; and a control means for controlling the drive means, moving the movable portion to the locking position by rotating the movable portion around the optical axis, thereby positioning each of the spherical bodies and restoring the movable portion to a predetermined image blur prevention control operational center position by rotating the movable portion by a predetermined angle from the locking position.