BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an outline structure of an image capturing apparatus according to preferred embodiments of the present invention;
FIGS. 2A to 2C are plan views each showing an outline structure of a bias-spring type actuator;
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams each showing a method of fixing SMA;
FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams each showing a variation of the method of fixing SMA;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system of manufacturing the actuator;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline structure of a unit for mounting SMA;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a technique for applying tensile stress to SMA;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a manufacturing flow of the actuator;
FIGS. 9A through 9E are diagrams each illustrating a step of manufacturing the actuator;
FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams each showing a displacement of a reference position caused by initial actuation;
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a manufacturing flow of an actuator;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific example of changes in elongation of SMA caused by initial actuation;
FIGS. 13 and 14 are flow charts each showing a manufacturing flow of an actuator according to a variant;
FIGS. 15 to 17, 18A to 18C and 19 are diagrams each showing a variation of structure which applies tensile stress to SMA;
FIGS. 20 and 21 are diagrams each showing a variation of the method of heating SMA;
FIGS. 22A to 22C are plan views each showing an outline structure of a push-pull actuator;
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing step of the push-pull actuator; and
FIG. 24 is a plan view showing an outline structure of an actuator according to a variant.
Patent Application
20070137196
