Vibration actuator which effectively transmits micro-amplitude vibrations
AssigneeNikon Corporation
InventorTadao Takagi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ultrasonic vibration motor having an elastic body and piezo-electric elements which are joined to the elastic body to harmonically produce a longitudinal oscillation mode and a bending oscillation mode on the elastic body, and to produce elliptical movement of a specified part of elastic body. A rotational member contacts a specified part of the elastic body and is driven to rotate by the elliptical movement of the specified part of the elastic body. A relative movement member is driven by the rotational member. The relative movement member may be driven, even if it has a soft surface, by effectively transmitting oscillations of a micro-amplitude produced on the specified part of the elastic body.
Claims15
A vibration actuator, comprising:
- an elastic body;
- an electro-mechanical conversion element joined to the elastic body to harmonically produce a longitudinal oscillation and a bending oscillation on the elastic body, and to produce elliptical movement of a specified part of the elastic body;
- a first rotational member contacting the specified part of the elastic body and rotationally driven by the elliptical movement of the specified part of the elastic body;
- a relative movement member which is moved by the first rotational member;
- a second rotational member juxtaposed with the first rotational member, with the relative movement member in between the first rotational member and the second rotational member;
- a first support member to support at least one of the first and second rotational members;
- a second support member to support the elastic body;
- and
- a pressure application member connected to the second support member and to the elastic body to apply pressure in a direction to cause the elastic body and the first rotational member to come in contact.
An ultrasonic vibration motor, comprising:
- an elastic body;
- an electro-mechanical conversion element joined to the elastic body to harmonically produce a longitudinal oscillation and a bending oscillation on the elastic body, and to produce elliptical movement of a specified part of the elastic body;
- a first rotational member contacting the specified part of the elastic body and rotationally driven by the elliptical movement of the specified part of the elastic body;
- a relative movement member contacting the first rotational member and moved by the rotation of the first rotational member;
- and
- a second rotational member contacting the relative movement member at a point opposite to a point the first rotational member contacts the relative movement member, with the relative movement member in-between the first rotational member and the second rotational member.
A vibration actuator, comprising:
- an elastic body;
- an electro-mechanical conversion element joined to the elastic body to harmonically produce a longitudinal oscillation and a bending oscillation on the elastic body, and to produce elliptical movement of a specified part of the elastic body;
- a first rotational member contacting the specified part of the elastic body and rotationally driven by the elliptical movement of the specified part of the elastic body;
- a relative movement member which is moved by the first rotational member;
- a member juxtaposed with the first rotational member, with the relative movement member in between the first rotational member and the member juxtaposed with the first rotational member;
- a first support member to support at least one of the first rotational member and the member juxtaposed with the first rotational member;
- a second support member to support the elastic body;
- and
- a pressure application member connected to the second support member and to the elastic body to apply pressure in a direction to cause the elastic body and the first rotational member to come in contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.