# US 2019/0246013 A1 · Vibration device for dust removal 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 2019/0246013 A1 - Document ID: US20190246013A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/260,506 - Filed: 2019-01-29 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-06 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Yasushi Shimizu; Takanori Matsuda; Shinya Koyama; Makoto Kubota; Akira Uebayashi; Kanako Oshima - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190246013A1 ## CPC - 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 1/0603: {using a piezoelectric bender, e.g. bimorph} - B06B 1/0607: {using multiple elements (B06B1/064 and B06B1/0688 take precedence)} - B08B 7/02: by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned {(B08B7/0007 takes precedence)} - B08B 7/028: {Using ultrasounds} - 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)} - H10N 30/20: with electrical input and mechanical output, e.g. functioning as actuators or vibrators - H10N 30/802: {Circuitry or processes for operating piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices not otherwise provided for, e.g. drive circuits} - H10N 30/8536: {Alkaline earth metal based oxides, e.g. barium titanates} - H04N 23/63: by using electronic viewfinders - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - 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) - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A vibration device comprises a vibrating member having at least n (n≥2) piezoelectric elements arranged on a vibrating plate, each of the piezoelectric elements being formed by using a lead-free piezoelectric material and electrodes, wherein if the temperature that maximizes the piezoelectric constant of the piezoelectric material of each of the n piezoelectric elements is expressed as Tm (m being a natural number between 1 and n), at least two of T1 through Tn differ from each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vibration device comprising a vibrating member having at least n (n≥2) piezoelectric elements arranged on a vibrating plate, each of the piezoelectric elements being formed by using a lead-free piezoelectric material and electrodes, wherein, if the temperature that maximizes the piezoelectric constant of the piezoelectric material of each of the n piezoelectric elements is expressed as Tm (m being a natural number from 1 to n), at least two of T1 through Tn differ from each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the difference between the largest value and the smallest value of T1 through Tn is not less than 10° C. and not more than 100° C. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration device is so designed that vibrations take place on the surface of the vibrating member as an alternating voltage is applied to each of the n piezoelectric elements. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the largest value and the smallest value of T1 through Tn are respectively not higher than 60° C. and not lower than −40° C. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein all of the n piezoelectric elements are arranged on the same surface side of the vibrating plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein all of the n piezoelectric elements are separated from each other and arranged on the surface of the vibrating plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the lead-free piezoelectric material is a barium titanate-based material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vibration device according to claim 1, wherein the relationship of CH