# US 10,768,507 B2 · Vibration device and imaging device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,768,507 B2 - Document ID: US10768507B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/147,910 - Filed: 2018-10-01 - Published: 2019-01-31 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-24 - Assignees: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Katsumi Fujimoto; Kenji Nishiyama; Masanobu Nomura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768507B2 ## CPC - G03B 5/00: Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing - B06B 1/0284: {with consecutive, i.e. sequential generation, e.g. with frequency sweep} - B06B 1/0644: {using a single piezoelectric element (B06B1/0688 takes precedence)} - G02B 27/0006: {with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation (G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B)} - G03B 17/08: Waterproof bodies or housings - H02N 2/002: {using only longitudinal or radial modes} - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H10N 30/206: {using only longitudinal or thickness displacement, e.g. d33 or d31 type devices} - B06B 2201/70: Specific application - B60S 1/56: specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens {(rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602)} - G03B 2205/0061: using piezoelectric actuators - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - B06B: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, {e.g.} FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL (for particular applications, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. B07B1/40, B23Q17/12, B24B31/06; measurement of mechanical vibrations G01H; in direction finding, locating, distance or velocity measuring G01S; {generating seismic energy G01V1/02}; control of mechanical vibrations in general G05D; sound-producing devices, e.g. bells, sirens, whistles G10K, {e.g. methods or devices for transmitting, conducting, or directing sound in general G10K11/00}; generation of electrical oscillations H03B; electromechanical resonators in general H03H; electromechanical transducers {for communication techniques, e.g. microphones, speakers} H04R) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H02N: ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A vibration device includes a vibration body including a light-transmitting portion including first and second main surfaces opposing each other and a vibration portion that is continuous with the light-transmitting portion and vibrates with a main vibration together with the light-transmitting portion, and a piezoelectric vibrator fixed to the vibration portion. Localized vibration portions which generate a localized vibration different from the main vibration are provided at a position not overlapping with a center or approximate center of the light-transmitting portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vibration device comprising: a vibration body including a light-transmitting portion including first and second main surfaces opposing each other and a vibration portion that is continuous with the light-transmitting portion and vibrates with a main vibration together with the light-transmitting portion; and a piezoelectric vibrator fixed to the vibration portion; wherein a plurality of localized vibration portions that generate a localized vibration different from the main vibration, are provided at a position not overlapping with a center or approximate center of the light-transmitting portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric vibrator is fixed to the vibration portion of the vibration body such that the main vibration and the localized vibration are excited. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the localized vibration portion is provided in the light-transmitting portion and is different in at least one of a Young's modulus, a density, and a Poisson's ratio from a remaining portion of the light-transmitting portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the localized vibration portion is provided in the light-transmitting portion and is a thin portion having a thickness smaller than a thickness of a remaining portion of the light-transmitting portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vibration device according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second main surfaces of the light-transmitting portion is provided with a recessed portion in the thin portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vibration device according to claim 5, wherein the recessed portion is provided on the first main surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the localized vibration portion includes a portion made of a material different from a material of a remaining portion of the light-transmitting portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the localized vibration portion is provided in the vibration portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the localized vibration portion has a circular or substantially circular planar shape. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein a number of the localized vibration portions is an even number. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration body includes a tubular main body and a lid portion that closes an opening of the tubular main body, and the light-transmitting portion is provided in the lid portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration body has a rectangular or substantially rectangular plate shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, further including a driver that drives the piezoelectric vibrator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vibration device according to claim 13, further including a driving frequency changer that changes a frequency of a driving signal of the piezoelectric vibrator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An imaging device comprising: the vibration device according to claim 1; and an imaging element opposing the first main surface to shoot an outside of the second main surface of the vibration body of the vibration device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein the localized vibration portion is positioned outside a field of view of the imaging element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric vibrator is fixed to the vibration portion of the vibration body such that the main vibration and the localized vibration are excited. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein the localized vibration portion is provided in the light-transmitting portion and is different in at least one of a Young's modulus, a density, and a Poisson's ratio from a remaining portion of the light-transmitting portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein the localized vibration portion is provided in the light-transmitting portion and is a thin portion having a thickness smaller than a thickness of a remaining portion of the light-transmitting portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The imaging device according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the first and second main surfaces of the light-transmitting portion is provided with a recessed portion in the thin portion.