Other

Nippondenso Co., Ltd.

Hitoshi Kanayama

Takashi Kaneko

Takaharu Idogaki

Takayuki Tominaga

Kouji Senda

A camera includes a device for variably focusing and condensing an image on an optical light. The camera includes a lens in which a clear liquid is disposed between opposing transparent elastic films. Pressure is externally applied to one of the films at a predetermined position, thereby changing the ratio of curvature of the transparent elastic film. This changes the focal length of the lens, thereby producing an image wherein all positions are in focus due to the persistence of vision effect of human vision.

Imaging device having flexible liquid-filled film lens

A moving member 2 is rotatably and slidably arranged in a holder 11 having a spherical inner surface 11a. An inertia body 5 is connected to the moving member 2 via a supporting member 4. At a location opposite the inertia body 5, an arm 3 extends so that it is directed outwardly via an opening of the holder. A piezo electric actuator 63 is arranged between the rotating member 2 and the supporting member 4. An elongation of the actuator causes a relative swing movement between the inertia body 5 and moving member to occur in one direction such that a reaction force in the moving member 2 due to the inertia of the inertia body 5 exceeds the frictional force between the moving member 4 and the holder 11, which allows the moving member 4 to be displaced with respect to the holder 11. A contraction of the actuator causes a relative movement between the inertia body 5 and moving member to occur in the opposite direction such that a reaction force in the moving member 2 does not exceed the frictional force, which allows the inertia body to follow with the actuator 63. A reception of the elongation and the contraction allows a movement of the moving member to occur so that it exceeds the limit of the bonding movement of the actuator.

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Nagoya, Japan

Hitoshi Kanayama