# US 11,077,464 B2 · Vibrating device, camera water-droplet-removing device, and camera > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,464 B2 - Document ID: US11077464B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/258,873 - Filed: 2019-01-28 - Published: 2019-05-23 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-30 - Assignees: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Katsumi Fujimoto; Chikahiro Horiguchi; Kenji Nishiyama; Yasuhiro Kuratani; Shinichiro Ichiguchi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077464B2 ## CPC - B06B 1/06: operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction (piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices per se H10N30/00) - B06B 1/0607: {using multiple elements (B06B1/064 and B06B1/0688 take precedence)} - B06B 1/0651: {of circular shape} - B60S 1/0848: {Cleaning devices for cameras on vehicle} - G02B 7/02: for lenses {(supports for magnifying lenses G02B25/002)} - 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 15/00: Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor - G03B 17/02: Bodies - G03B 17/08: Waterproof bodies or housings - G03B 17/56: Accessories (carrying-cases A45C11/38) - H04N 23/52: Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements - H04N 23/811: {by dust removal, e.g. from surfaces of the image sensor or processing of the image signal output by the electronic image sensor} - 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) - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - 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) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A vibrating device includes a tubular body including first and second end surfaces, and a side wall portion that connects the first and second end surfaces, a piezoelectric vibrator provided on the first end surface of the tubular body, and a light transmitting body that is directly or indirectly connected to the second end surface and covers an opening in the second end surface of the tubular body. A connecting portion is connected to the first end surface of the tubular body inside or outside an opening in the first end surface. A tubular bent portion is connected to a surface of the connecting portion that faces toward the second end surface of the tubular body. The tubular bent portion extends in a direction from the first end surface toward the second end surface of the tubular body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vibrating device comprising: a tubular body including a first end surface, a second end surface that is opposite to the first end surface, and a side wall portion that connects the first and second end surfaces, the first and second end surfaces each including an opening; a piezoelectric vibrator provided on the first end surface of the tubular body; and a light transmitting body that is directly or indirectly connected to the second end surface of the tubular body and covers the opening in the second end surface of the tubular body; wherein a connecting portion is connected to the first end surface of the tubular body in a region inside or outside the opening in the first end surface; a tubular bent portion is connected to a surface of the connecting portion that faces toward the second end surface of the tubular body; and the tubular bent portion extends in a direction from the first end surface toward the second end surface of the tubular body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vibrating device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is connected to an outer side of the first end surface of the tubular body, and the bent portion faces an outer surface of the side wall portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vibrating device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is connected to an inner side of the first end surface of the tubular body, and the bent portion faces an inner surface of the side wall portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vibrating device according to claim 1, further comprising a support connected to the side wall portion of the tubular body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vibrating device according to claim 1, wherein the tubular body is cylindrical. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vibrating device according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric vibrator extends from the first end surface of the tubular body to a surface of the connecting portion that faces away from the second end surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vibrating device according to claim 1, wherein when a direction connecting the first end surface and the second end surface of the tubular body is defined as a length direction of the tubular body, a sum of a dimension of the bent portion in the length direction and a dimension of the connecting portion in the length direction is less than or equal to about ½ of a dimension of the tubular body in the length direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A camera water-droplet-removing device comprising: the vibrating device according to claim 1; wherein the camera water-droplet-removing device defines a camera main body including a lens; and the light transmitting body is the lens of the camera main body or a cover including a light transmitting portion disposed in front of the lens of the camera main body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The camera water-droplet-removing device according to claim 8, wherein the connecting portion is connected to an outer side of the first end surface of the tubular body, and the bent portion faces an outer surface of the side wall portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The camera water-droplet-removing device according to claim 8, wherein the connecting portion is connected to an inner side of the first end surface of the tubular body, and the bent portion faces an inner surface of the side wall portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The camera water-droplet-removing device according to claim 8, further comprising a support connected to the side wall portion of the tubular body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The camera water-droplet-removing device according to claim 8, wherein the tubular body is cylindrical. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The camera water-droplet-removing device according to claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric vibrator extends from the first end surface of the tubular body to a surface of the connecting portion that faces away from the second end surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The camera water-droplet-removing device according to claim 8, wherein when a direction connecting the first end surface and the second end surface of the tubular body is defined as a length direction of the tubular body, a sum of a dimension of the bent portion in the length direction and a dimension of the connecting portion in the length direction is less than or equal to about ½ of a dimension of the tubular body in the length direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A camera comprising: a camera water-droplet-removing device including the vibrating device according to claim 1; and a camera main body, at least a portion of which is disposed in the camera water-droplet-removing device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The camera according to claim 15, wherein the connecting portion is connected to an outer side of the first end surface of the tubular body, and the bent portion faces an outer surface of the side wall portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The camera according to claim 15, wherein the connecting portion is connected to an inner side of the first end surface of the tubular body, and the bent portion faces an inner surface of the side wall portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The camera according to claim 15, further comprising a support connected to the side wall portion of the tubular body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The camera according to claim 15, wherein the tubular body is cylindrical. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The camera according to claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric vibrator extends from the first end surface of the tubular body to a surface of the connecting portion that faces away from the second end surface.