An automatic focus apparatus for a camera module includes a voice coil motor and a driving unit. The voice coil motor includes a frame, a moving member with a lens, and a magnetic member. The magnetic member is positioned at a side wall of the moving member, the driving unit is positioned at a side plate of the frame. A magnetic field is generated by the driving unit and the magnetic member, the magnetic field drives the moving member with the lens to move, to achieve automatic focus.

A camera, camera lens, image sensor, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) motor are stacked within a frame. The SMA motor is located on an out-light side of the camera lens. The image sensor is located between the lens and the SMA motor and is fastened to the SMA motor. The SMA motor is configured to actuate the image sensor to shift on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the camera lens. The camera may be associated with an electronic device.

A driving-unit operation method includes: generating pulse blocks on the basis of driving pulses; and modifying a driving signal in accordance with a position error signal. In the modifying the driving signal, when the position error signal is in a first range, the shape of the driving pulses is modified so as to form a first driving-pulse shape, and the pulse-block duty cycle is set to a first pulse-block duty cycle value, whereas when the position error signal is in a second range, the shape of the driving pulses is modified so as to form a second driving-pulse shape, and the pulse-block duty cycle is set to a second pulse-block duty cycle value.

A driving-unit operation method includes: generating pulse blocks on the basis of driving pulses; and modifying a driving signal in accordance with a position error signal. In the modifying the driving signal, when the position error signal is in a first range, the shape of the driving pulses is modified so as to form a first driving-pulse shape, and the pulse-block duty cycle is set to a first pulse-block duty cycle value, whereas when the position error signal is in a second range, the shape of the driving pulses is modified so as to form a second driving-pulse shape, and the pulse-block duty cycle is set to a second pulse-block duty cycle value.

A sensor driving apparatus according to the embodiment includes a fixed portion including a first substrate; an elastic member disposed on the first substrate; and a sensor moving portion disposed on the elastic member; wherein the elastic member includes: a first insulating portion; a second insulating portion spaced apart from the first insulating portion; and an elastic connection portion connecting the first insulating portion and the second insulating portion; wherein the elastic connection portion electrically connects the fixed portion and the moving portion.

This lens drive device is provided with: a first movable part; a second movable part; a first drive part; and a second drive part. The first drive part and the second drive part respectively have a first ultrasonic motor and a second ultrasonic motor. The first ultrasonic motor and the second ultrasonic motor are arranged on sides opposite to each other with respect an optical axis, and independently drive the first movable part and the second movable part in the optical axis direction.

This lens drive device is provided with: a first movable part; a second movable part; a first drive part; and a second drive part. The first drive part and the second drive part respectively have a first ultrasonic motor and a second ultrasonic motor. The first ultrasonic motor and the second ultrasonic motor are arranged on sides opposite to each other with respect an optical axis, and independently drive the first movable part and the second movable part in the optical axis direction.

A vibration-type actuator includes a vibrator, a contact body, a pressure member, a holding member, and a base. The vibrator has an elastic member and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element fixed to the elastic member. The contact body contacts the vibrator. The pressure member presses the contact body and the vibrator in a first direction. The holding member holds the vibrator and includes a support portion and at least one fitting hole portion extending in the first direction. The support portion supports the vibrator movably in the first direction. The base holds the holding member. The contact body moves relative to the vibrator in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The base includes at least one fitting protrusion portion extending in the first direction and fits in the at least one fitting hole portion.

A vibration-type actuator includes a vibrator, a contact body, a pressure member, a holding member, and a base. The vibrator has an elastic member and an electro-mechanical energy conversion element fixed to the elastic member. The contact body contacts the vibrator. The pressure member presses the contact body and the vibrator in a first direction. The holding member holds the vibrator and includes a support portion and at least one fitting hole portion extending in the first direction. The support portion supports the vibrator movably in the first direction. The base holds the holding member. The contact body moves relative to the vibrator in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The base includes at least one fitting protrusion portion extending in the first direction and fits in the at least one fitting hole portion.

Disclosed is a camera module. The camera module includes: a camera housing, a first carrier that is at least partially disposed in the camera housing and configured to move in a direction of an optical axis, a second carrier at least partially disposed in the first carrier and including a lens assembly, the second carrier configured to move together with the first carrier in the direction of the optical axis based on an auto focus function being performed and to move relative to the first carrier in at least one direction perpendicular to the optical axis based on an image stabilization function being performed, and a damping structure configured to provide damping to the movement of the second carrier based on the image stabilization function being performed. The damping structure includes a stopper disposed on an upper surface of the first carrier, a damping material located on a first surface of the second carrier at least partially facing the upper surface, and a protrusion extending from the stopper to be at least partially coupled to the damping material.