Surface acoustic wave linear motor, surface acoustic wave linear motor package, and lens actuator adopting the surface acoustic wave linear motor package

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a surface acoustic wave linear motor that can be driven in opposite directions along a predetermined path, a package including the surface acoustic wave linear motor, and a lens actuator that is capable of performing an optical zoom function by adopting the surface acoustic wave linear motor package. The surface acoustic wave linear motor includes a substrate, through which a surface acoustic wave progresses, a movable part constructed such that the movable part can perform a translating movement in the opposite direction to the progressing direction of the surface acoustic wave, and electrodes for supplying the substrate with power to generate the surface acoustic wave in the substrate. According to the present invention, the surface acoustic wave linear motor is capable of performing a translating movement without the provision of an additional mechanism, unlike the conventional actuator using the rotary motor, the gear, and the lead screw. Furthermore, the surface acoustic wave linear motor is suitable for miniaturization and weight reduction, and therefore, various applications of the surface acoustic wave linear motor are possible.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A surface acoustic wave linear motor package comprising:
 a surface acoustic wave linear motor that can be driven by a surface acoustic wave generated at the surface of a substrate;   a header part, on which the surface acoustic wave linear motor is mounted; and   a cap for guiding the driving movement of the surface acoustic wave linear motor.   
   
   
       15 . The linear motor package as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the cap has a through-hole formed in the middle thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The linear motor package as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the surface acoustic wave linear motor includes:
 a substrate, through which a surface acoustic wave progresses;   a movable part that can perform a translating movement in the opposite direction to the progressing direction of the surface acoustic wave;   electrodes for supplying power to generate the surface acoustic wave in the substrate;   an upper pressing member disposed at the upper surface of the movable part for pressing the movable part and the substrate such that the movable part and the substrate can be brought into tight contact with each other; and   a connection member for transmitting a driving force to the outside of the cap.   
   
   
       17 . The linear motor package as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the header part includes a plurality of pins for separating the surface acoustic wave linear motor from the bottom by a predetermined distance. 
   
   
       18 . The linear motor package as set forth in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 insulating members disposed around the pins for accomplishing electrical insulation of the pins.   
   
   
       19 . The linear motor package as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the surface acoustic wave linear motor further includes:
 a lower pressing member disposed at the lower surface of the substrate for pressing the movable part and the substrate such that the movable part and the substrate can be brought into tight contact with each other.   
   
   
       20 . The linear motor package as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the connection member protrudes outwardly through the through-hole. 
   
   
       21 . A lens actuator comprising:
 the surface acoustic wave linear motor package as set forth in  claim 14 ; and   a lens group connected to the surface acoustic wave linear motor included in the surface acoustic wave linear motor package.   
   
   
       22 . The lens actuator as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the lens group includes at least one zoom lens. 
   
   
       23 . The lens actuator as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the lens group includes at least one automatic focus lens.