Imaging apparatus including a cooled imaging element which is shifted to perform high-definition imaging

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• a fixed plate portion;
• a spring portion formed by notching an interior of the fixed portion;
• a movable portion supported in the fixed portion via the spring portion so as to be capable of moving;
• a micro-motion element which moves the movable portion;
• an imaging element which is provided on the movable portion, and which is enabled to perform high-definition imaging due to movement of the movable portion;
• a cooling element having a cooling surface that is in contact with a back side of the imaging element through a heat sink;
• a thermally conductive member interposed in a gap between the fixed portion and the movable portion;
• a housing which accommodates therein the fixed portion, the spring portion, the movable portion, the micro-motion element, the imaging element, the cooling element and the thermally conductive member, and which discharges heat conducted from a heat generating surface of the cooling element through the movable portion and the thermally conductive member;
• wherein the thermally conductive member is pushed out or expanded from the gap between the fixed portion and the movable portion when the gap is narrowed or widened by movement of the movable portion, and the thermally conductive member has a viscosity such that the thermally conductive member does not flow down from the gap between the fixed portion and the movable portion even when inclined.