Patent ID: 8218958
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An image stabilizing apparatus, comprising: an image stabilizing lens; a movable member that holds the image stabilizing lens and is movable with respect to a fixed member in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis; a guide member that is movable with respect to the fixed member in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis and guides the movable member to prevent the movable member from rotating in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis; a plurality of first rolling balls rollably interposed between the fixed member and the guide member; a plurality of second rolling balls rollably interposed between the guide member and the movable member; a third rolling ball rollably interposed between the fixed member and the movable member; and a drive unit that drives the movable member with respect to the fixed member perpendicularly to the optical axis, wherein: the plurality of first rolling balls are rollable only in a first direction perpendicular to the optical axis; the plurality of second rolling balls is rollable only in a second direction that is perpendicular to the optical axis and is different from the first direction; the third rolling ball is freely movable perpendicularly to the optical axis; and the third rolling ball and the first rolling balls overlap each other at least in a portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.