Patent ID: 8294970

Claim:
An actuator, comprising: a frame-shaped member; a pair of first axis members, each of the first axis members being provided at one of corresponding ends of the frame-shaped member in a direction along a first axis so as to make the frame-shaped member rotatable about the first axis; a movable plate provided within the frame-shaped member; a pair of second axis members supporting the movable plate against the frame-shaped member, each of the second axis members being provided at one of corresponding ends of the movable plate in a direction along a second axis so as to make the movable plate rotatable about the second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis; at least two first permanent magnets provided to the frame-shaped member such that the first axis is interposed between both poles of each of the first permanent magnets; a second permanent magnet provided to the movable plate such that the first axis is interposed between both poles of the second permanent magnet; a coil facing the frame-shaped member and generating a magnetic force that acts on the first and second permanent magnets upon receipt of a voltage; and a voltage applying unit applying the voltage to the coil, wherein: each of the first permanent magnets and the second permanent magnet are disposed so as to have an angle θ of 30≦θ≦60_degrees to the first axis and are disposed such that magnetic pole directions of the first and second permanent magnets are substantially identical.