US Patent 11287602 Optical unit and endoscope

An optical unit includes: a moving frame disposed so as to freely move back and forth inside a fixed barrel and configured to hold a moving lens; an actuator configured to drive the moving frame along an optical axis of the moving lens; a plurality of spherical bodies configured to make the moving frame slidable; a plurality of guide grooves configured to guide the plurality of spherical bodies; a plurality of magnets disposed so as to generate magnetic force in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis; and a magnetic member disposed at a facing position of the plurality of magnets, and configured to cancel attractive forces in opposing directions generated with the plurality of magnets by the magnetic force and generate urging force only in a direction of bringing the plurality of spherical bodies into contact with the guide grooves at the moving frame.