Patent ID: 8792166

Claim:
An image blur correction apparatus comprising: a base having an opening portion; a movable holding member holding a lens; a support mechanism supporting the movable holding member, and being configured to be movable within a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens; a driving device configured to drive the movable holding member within the plane; a position detecting device configured to detect a position of the movable holding member; and a returning device configured to return the movable holding member to a predetermined pause position in a pause state, wherein the driving device comprises a coil fixed to one of the base and the movable holding member, and a drive magnet fixed to the other of the base and the movable holding member at a position where the drive magnet faces the coil, and wherein the returning device comprises a return magnet facing the drive magnet and fixed to one of the base and the movable holding member to generate a magnetic force for returning the movable holding member to the pause position and holding the movable holding member at the pause position without a yoke being arranged between the return magnet and the drive magnet, the position detecting device comprises a magnetic sensor fixed to one of the base and the movable holding member at a position where the magnetic sensor faces the drive magnet to form a magnetic circuit in cooperation with the drive magnet without a yoke being arranged between the magnetic sensor and the drive magnet, and the support mechanism comprises at least three concave portions disposed on one of the base and the movable holding member, at least three spheres rollably arranged in the at least three concave portions in a protruding state, and at least three abutment surfaces disposed on the other of the base and the movable holding member to abut the at least three spheres.