Patent ID: 8090248
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: G02B,G03B

Abstract:
1. An anti-vibration actuator for moving an image stabilizing lens within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis thereof, comprising: a fixed portion; a movable portion to which the image stabilizing lens is attached; movable portion support means for supporting the movable portion to allow for translational and rotational movement within a plane parallel to the fixed portion; first drive means including a first drive magnet and a first drive coil disposed in opposition thereto, oriented in such a way that the line of action of the drive force driving the movable portion relative to the fixed portion is directed in essentially the radial direction of the image stabilizing lens; second drive means including with a second drive magnet and a second drive coil disposed in opposition thereto, oriented in such a way that the line of action of the drive force driving the movable portion relative to the fixed portion is essentially perpendicular to the line of action of the drive force of the first drive means and is oriented in essentially the radial direction of the image stabilizing lens; third drive means including with a third drive magnet and a third drive coil disposed in opposition thereto, oriented so that the line of action of the drive force driving the movable portion with respect to the fixed portion is directed in essentially the circumferential direction of the image stabilizing lens; first, second, and third position detection elements for detecting the respective positions of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion in a direction parallel to the line of action of each of the drive forces of the first, second, and third drive means; and a control section for controlling current supplied to the first, second, and third drive coils based on the positions detected by the first, second, and third position detecting elements, so as to move the movable portion to a specified position; wherein a straight line passing through the center of gravity of the movable portion, and parallel to the line of action of the drive force from the first drive means defines first and second regions, and the third drive means is disposed in the first region and the first position detection element is disposed such that its entire detector section is positioned in the second region; and wherein a straight line passing through the center of gravity of the movable portion, and parallel to the line of action of the drive force from the second drive means defines third and fourth regions, and the third drive means is disposed in the third region and the second detection element is disposed such that its entire detector section is positioned in the fourth region.